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Jonathan Butler / Sign Of Life
Jonathan Butler, the talented vocalist / guitarist / songwriter coming from South Africa, setteled in Los Angeles after releasing 6 albums including the awesome instrumental guitar album "Introducing Jonathan Butler" (1985) and "Jonathan Butler" (1987) full of his soft and sophisticated vocal tunes, via London and then in New York. On the former album "Do You Love Me?" (1997), Jonathan revealed his songwriting talent matched with the L.A. City-Breezing atomosphere. And on this album, Jonathan plays gentle and melodious acoustic guitar and also sings soft and mellow but with passion and soulfulness. This is one of the best AOR albums in 1990’s, I thought. Japanese edition includes an extra guitar instrumental tune "Butterfly Lane" as its exclusive bonus track. Release: 7 September, 1999 (USA) / 10 September, 1999 (Japan) Label: N-Coded Music - Warlock Records, USA (WRL-0004203) / Victor Entertainment Inc., Japan (VICP-60829) Tracks: 1. Story Of Life 2. Let's Stand Together 3. What Would You Do For Love? 4. After All This Time 5. Suite 830 6. Can't Let Go 7. Through It All 8. Following The Light 9. Sunset Ride 10. So In Love 11. Butterfly Lane * * Bonus Track for Japanese Edition Producer: Jonathan Butler Co-Producers: Peter Mokran, David Reitzas Executive Producer: Carl Griffin, Bill Siddons Jonathan Butler: Guitar, Vocals - Musicians - Drums: Will Kennedy Drum Programming: Peter Mokran, Drum Programming, Keyboards: Gregory Watcher Keyboards: Greg Phillinganes, Richard Page, George Duke Guitars: Michael Landau, Michael Thompson Bass: Neil Stubenhaus, Larry Kimpel, Abraham Laboriel, Nathan East Sax: Candy Dulfer Cello: Suzy Katayama Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa Background Vocals: Tracy Nelson, Earl Buffington, Mervyn Warren String Arrangement: David Diggs #JonathanButler
1 Adult Contemporary AOR N-Coded Music - Warlock Records, USATakeito
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Rick Springfield / Karma
One of the best 1980's pop stars, Rick Springfield released his solo album after 10 years silence in 1998. As you have been aware, Rick Springfield released his project with Tim Pierce (guitar) and Bob Marlette (keyboards) under the name of "Sahara Snow" with MTM Music Germany in 1997 to break his silence since 1988 when his former solo album "Rock Of Life" was released. On the album "Sahara Snow", Springfield succeded to show us that he kept his storng Rock sprits as before. On this solo album, Springfield shown not only such kind of Rock sprits but also his pop sense. Once you listen to this album, I guess you must grin because many essense of 80's hit tunes such as "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" performed by Tears for Fears. On this album, Bob Marlete does not play keyboards but wrote materials with Springfield. One of the remarkable findings must be that Richard Page (ex Pages, ex Mr. Mister) joined on 4 tracks as a background vocalist. Following advanced Japanese release, the album was released also in USA with different track order and it includes an additional track “ His Last Words” as the 1 min 23 seconds opener of the album and also “Karma” remix version as a hidden track. Release: 21 November, 1998 (Japan) / 13 April, 1999 (USA) Label : Victor Entertainment, Inc. Japan (VICP 60519) / Platinum, USA (15095 9561 2) Tracks: 1. Prayer 2. The White Room 3. Free 4. It's Always Something 5. Religion Of The Heart 6. Shock To My System 7. Karma 8. Beautiful Prize 9. In Veronica's Head 10. Ordinary Girl 11. Act Of Faith 12. Jessie's Girl (Acoustic Version '98)* * Bonus track for Japanese edition Tracks (USA edition): 1. His Last Words 2. It's Always Something 3. Religion Of The Heart 4. Beautiful Prize 5. Karma 6. Shock To The System 7. Free 8. Prayer 9. The White Room 10. In Veronica's Head 11. Ordinary Girl 12. Act Of Faith 13. Karma (Remix) Producers: Bill Drescher, Rick Springfield Rick Springfield: - Musicians - Drums: Mike Baird Keyboards: Phil Shenale Guitars: Tim Pierce Bass: Lance Morrison, Jason Scheff Background Vocals: Richard Page, Stan Bush Loops and Percussion: Bill Drescher Ambient Drums: Jack White #RickSpringfield
1 1 Adult Contemporary Classic RockTakeito
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Lou Pardini / Look The Other Way
Lou Pardini, a songwriter, producer, arranger and keyboard player became widely known for his grammy-awarded song "Just To See Her" perfromed by Smoky Robinson in 1988. As a vocalist Pardini proved his presence when he sang several songs on the album of the CCM group "Koinonia". Pardini released his first solo album "Live And Let Live" here in Japan in 1996, and also later released in USA as the refitted album "Night To Remember". Another stylish album “Look The Other Way” followed in 1998. Release: 21 October, 1998 Label : Victor Entertainment, Inc. Japan (VICP-60497) Tracks: 1. Better Late Than Never 2. We've Got So Far To Go 3. Love Is A Hurtin' Thing 4. Time Out For Love 5. I'll Always Be There 6. Look The Other Way 7. Place In My Heart 8. Method To The Madness 9. How Can I Stop Loving You 10.I Just Had To Fall 11. Take It Away * 12. What Might Have Been * * Bonus Track for Japanese edition Producer: Lou Pardini Lou Pardini: Vocals, Keyboards - Musicians - Bass: Vail Johnson, John Patitucci Drum Programming: Steve Dublin Guitar: James Harrah Sax: Scott Mayo, Dave "Rev" Boruff Back Vocals: Sid Sham, Scott Mayo, Mindi Stein, Rose Stone, Alfie Silas, Howard McCarry, Olivia McCarkle, Bunny Hull, Bill Champlin, Joseph Williams #LouPardini
2 AOR Victor Entertainment Inc., Japan CDTakeito
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Minako Obata / Once Upon Time
Minako Obata, Japanese female talented singer released Christmas album produced by David Garfield, the producer of her third solo album “Brand New Day” that released in March 1997. It means that Minako brought jazzy and mellow holiday season album eight month intervals. Minako covers Donny Hathaway’s 1970 R&B classic “This Christmas” duet with Mike Finnigan, that must be the highlight of this album. Release : 21 November, 1997 Label: Victor Entertainment Inc, Japan (VICP-60169) Tracks: 1. What Child Is This (Sons Of Mary) 2. This Christmas 3. Once Upon A Time 4. Silent Night 5. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel 6. Blue Christmas Minako Obata: Vocals - Musicians - Duet.Vocals (Track 2): Mike Finnigan Acoustic Piano, Keyboards & Synth: David Garfield Hammond Organ: Mike Finnigan Drums: Greg Bissonette Bass: John Pena, Jimmy Haslip Guitar: Michael Thompson, Michael Landau, Paul Jackson Jr., Michael O'Neill Percussion: Chris Trujillo, Michito Sanchez, Luis Conte Sax: Gerald Albright Background Vocals: Terry Wood, Carmen L.Carter, Oren Waters, Josef Powell, Bill Champlin, Jason Scheff #MinakoObata
Adult Contemporary Victor Entertainment Inc., Japan CD 1997Takeito
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Abraxas Pool
Whilst Neal Schon reunited with Steve Perry, Steve Smith and Ross Valory to record Journey’s tenth studio album “Trial by Fire” in early 1996, the "classic" line-up of Santana band; Gregg Rolie, Michael Carabello, Michael Shrieve and José "Chepito" Areas, with Neal Schon (joined Santana in 1971 when the Santana III was released) got together intending to reproduce the original sound of Santana 30 years later and the result was fabulous Abraxas Pool. That happened because Neal Schon was obliged to wait for Steve Perry whether he wanted to tour or not due to physical issues. Neal Schon released his solo album Electric World in 1997, late forming the Abraxas Pool with former Journey member Gregg Rolie, Since Neal Schon decided to have Steve Augeri with Journey, replacing semi-retired Steve Perry, Abraxas Pool was ended after this album release. Release: March, 1997 Label: Miramar Records, USA (23082) / H.A.P.C.O., Inc.- Intercord Record Service, Germany((IRS 993.172) / Victor Entertainment Inc., Japan (VICP 60438) Tracks: 1. Boom Ba Ya Ya 2. A Million Miles Away 3. Baila Mi Cha-Cha 4. Waiting For You 5. Going Home 6. Szabo 7. Guajirona 8. Cruzin' 9. Don't Give Up 10. Ya Liego 11. Jingo Producer: Abraxas Pool Abraxas Pool: Greg Rolie : Vocals, Keyboards Neal Schon: Guitar Michael Shrieve: Drums Jose "Chepito" Areas: Timbals Michael Carabello: Congas Alphonso Johnson: Bass - Musicians - Drums: Wole Alade, Ronald Marshall Vocals: Carlos E. Franco, Necia Dallas, Davona Bundy #AbraxasPool
Intercord Record Service, Germany AOR Classic Rock H.A.P.C.O., Inc., GermanyTakeito
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Minako Obata / Brand New Day
This is the 3rd album of Minako Obata, the excellent Japanese female Adult Contemporary singer. This album was produced by Kenji Sano and Bill Cantos and supported by great musicians as below. She sang all songs emotionally in English as same as her former solo albums. Release: 21 March, 1997 Label : Victor Entertainment Inc., Japan (VICL-888) Tracks: 1. Brand New Day 2. So Good 3. Land Of Celebration 4. Sweet And Lovely 5. I Wonder 6. Invisible Dream 7. Ain't Love Curious 8. River Flows 9. I'm A Woman 10. G's Ballad 11. Gotta Be You Producers: Kenji Sano and Bill Cantos Minako Obata:Vocals - Musicians - Keyboards: Jay Oliver, James Studer, David Garfield, Bill Cantos, Kiki Ebsen Guitars: Michael Thompson, Michael Landau, David T. Walker Drums: Ricky Lawson, Land Richards, Alan Hinds Bass: Don Patterson, Jimmy Earl, Brian Bromberg, Andrew Ford Percussion: Luis Conte Sax: Everette Harp Background Vocals: Bambi Jones, Brandy Jones, Michael Mishaw, Bill Cantos #MinakoObata
Adult Contemporary Victor Entertainment Inc., Japan CD 1997Takeito
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Minako Obata / True Piece Of Mind
Minako Obata is purely Japanese female singer. She released her debut album titled "We Have A Dream" in January, 1995 with support of many first-call Los Angeles studio musicians such as Kenji Sano (Karapana), Jay Graydon, Bill Cantos and many others. In spite of her nationality, Minako sang all songs in English for this album. She said that it was really natural for her to sing in English. Minako completed her 2nd album with support of much more first-call musicians such as Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon, Bill Cantos, David Garfield and many many more! Release: 21 February, 1996 Label : Victor Entertainment, Inc., Japan (VICL-727) Tracks: 1. Prelude (True Peace Of Mind) 2. If You Ever Go Too Far 3. Can I Help It (Duet With Bill Champlin) 4. Deepest Blue 5. All Of Me 6. More Than You Know 7. Slip Away 8. Creepin' 9. Suave 10. He Loves Me 11. True Peace Of Mind Producer: Kenji Sano Minako Obata: Vocals - Musicians - Drums: Michael Baker, Carlos Vega, Greg Bissonette Bass: Freddie Washington, John Pena Guitars: Jay Graydon, Fred Schreuder, Ray Fuller Keyboards: Bill Cantos, David Garfield, James Studer, Jay Oliver Sax: Michael Paulo Percussion: Luis Conte Background Vocals: Bill Champlin #MinakoObata
AOR Victor Entertainment Inc., Japan CD 1996Takeito