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John O'Banion
Indiana born John O’Banion got the lead singer position of the band Today's Children led by Doc Severinsen well-known for his musical contribution to The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1974, O’Banion released his debut single “Me And America” c/w “I Wanna Go Home” on New York based Bell Records, followed by another single (promo only release?) “When Jeremiah Can Be”. Unfortunately Bell Records was shut down in late in 1974, and its assets were transferred to Columbia's new label, Arista Records. The next single of O’Banion became the key for his early 1980’s success. It was 1978 when O’Banion recorded a single “Something About Your Love” c/w “Greener Pastures” written by Joey Carbone and Richie Zito for Warner Bros. Having said that, O’Banion had to wait for further several years. He released another single on Arista in 1980 produced by Carbone & Zito; “Ocean Of Love” written by Richie Zito “Don't Throw Our Love Away” written by Joey Carbone and Teri Desario. Finally, John O'Banion debut album was released in 1981 with Elektra, produced by Joey Carbone and Richie Zito, "Love You Like I Never Found" reached number 24 on US single chart. Release: 1981 Label : Elektra Records, USA (6E-342) First Reissued CD Release: 25 April, 1990 (Elektra - Warner Pioneer, Japan, WPCP-3452) Tracks: 1. Love You Like I Never Loved Before 2. You're In My Life Again 3. Love Is Blind 4. Our Love Can Make It 5. Come To My Love 6. Take A Chance On Love 7. Walk Away Renee 8. If You Love Me 9. She's Not For You Bonus Track(s) added to Reissued CD(s): 2011 Vivid Sound Corporation, Japan (VSCD-3514 released on 23 February, 2011) 11 Something About Your Love 12 Greener Pastures Producer: Joey Carbone and Richie Zito - Musicians - Guitars: Richie Zito Keyboards: Joey Carbone, Richie Zito Bass: Dennis Belfield Drums: Carlos Vega Percussion: Lenny Castro, Joey Carbone Strings arrangement: James Newton Howard Background Vocals: Joey Carbone, Jon Joyce, Bobby Kimball #JohnO’Banion
2 AOR Elektra Records, USA Elektra, Warner Pioneer, Japan
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Steve Kipner / Knock The Walls Down
Ohio born Steve Kipner raised in Brisbane, Australia and began his music career there. Kipner formed a duo with Steve Groves, moved to England in 1968 and released an album as Steve & Stevie. In 1970, the duo released an album under the name Tin Tin with Maurice Gibb as their producer. They were successful with an American top 20 song "Toast and Marmalade for Tea," in 1971. Tin Tin released another album “Astral Taxi” in 1971. Kipner’s next move was with Michael Lloyd and Daryl Cotton in 1973 to form the vocal group Friends when the self- titledalbum was released. Then, Kipner moved back from UK to USA and settled in California, where he teamed up with Peter Beckett and Lane Caudell to form SKYBAND in 1974. SKYBAND released their one and only self-titled . Finally Kipner recorded his own solo album “Knock the Walls Down” in 1979. This is the only one solo album of Steve Kipner, known for tons of his excellent songwritings such as "Niagara Falls", "She Would Have Been Faithful" performed by Chicago on the album "Chicago 18" and/or "Physical" performed by Olivia Newton John. Except only one tracks, you can enjoy Jay Graydon's awesome producing works featuring Graydon’s wonderful guitar. Jeff Porcaro and David Hungate, rhythm section kept the record alive! Peter Beckett of Player also appears on this album, which might lead Steve Kipner to make albums again with Beckett as the duo unit "Think Out Loud" afterwards. Release: 1979 Label: Elektra / Asylum, USA (6E-202) First Reissued CD Release: 25 April, 1990 (Warner Music, Japan, WPCP-3453) Tracks: 1. The Beginning 2. Knock The Walls Down 3. Lovemaker 4. School Of Broken Hearts 5. War Games 6. I've Got To Stop This Hurting You 7. Love Is Its Own Reward 8. Cryin' Out For Love 9. Guilty 10. The Ending Bonus Track(s) added to the reissued CD version(s): 2010 Vivid Sound Corporation, Japan (VSCD-3509 released on 18 August, 2010) 11. I Had To Find It Out For Myself * 12. Love Is Its Own Reward (Instrumental) * B-side of the 45rpm single “Knock The Walls Down” Producers: Jay Graydon (except track 6 by Tom Seufert and Steve Kipner) Steve Kipner: Vocals, Guitar - Musicians - Drums; Jeff Porcaro Bass: David Hungate, Kenny Lee Lewis Piano, Rhodes, Organ, Synth, Oberheim, Strings: Michael Omartian Piano, Synth: Geoffrey Leib Oberheim: Robbie Robertson Piano, Organ: Greg Mathieson Rhodes, Oberheim, Synth, Piano: David Foster Synth, Strings, Electric Guitars: Jay Graydon Acoustic Guitar: Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather Electric Guitars: Tom Seufert Rhythm Guitars: Dean Parks Sax: Don Roberts Trumpet: Gary Grant, Jerry Hey Trombone: Bill Reichenbach Percussion: Victor Feldman Backing Vocals: Peter Beckett, J.C. Crowley, Carmen Twillie, Venette Gloud, Bill Champlin, Tom Kelly, Bobby Kimball, Tom Seufert #SteveKipner
2 AOR Elektra / Asylum, USA Vivid Sound Corporation, Japan
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Jay Gruska / Which One Of Us Is Me
Brooklyn born Jay Gruska raised in Caracas, Venezuela, then moved to and spent his teen-age years in Los Angeles, California. In 1974, Jay Gruska released his first solo album "Gruska on Gruska" produced by Michael Omartian with the guest musicians such as Larry Carlton and Dean Parks. After that, Jay Gruska played with and composed songs for Three Dog Night and so on. And Jay Gruska is known for his composition such as "What You Are Missing" for Chicago 16 album and/or also known for co-writing the hit duet "Tell Me I'm Not Dreamin' (Too Good to Be True)" for Jermaine and Michael Jackson; the Gloria Loring/Carl Anderson duet "Friends and Lovers". Furthermore, you must remember he is the vocalist of the legendary group MAXUS ! In late 1990’s, he is well known as a musical director of the movies/ TV drama such as "Lois And Clark" (Superman TV series). Release: 1984 Label : Warner Bros. Records, USA (23923-1) First Reissued CD Release: 25 May, 1990 (Warner Pioneer Japan, WPCP-3482) Tracks: 1. Desperate Eyes 2. Atlanta Calling 3. Tattoo 4. The Motion 5. Cancun 6. Which One Of Us Is Me 7. Take A Number 8. Famous 9. Circus 10. Baby Theme Producer: Jay Gruska Jay Gruska: Vocals, Drum Programming, Synthesizer - Musicians - Guitars: Michael Landau, Tony Berg, Steve Lukather Bass: Nathan East, Mike Porcaro, Abraham Laboriel, John Pierce, Neil Stubenhaus Keyboards: Michael Omartian, Randy Kerber, Creig Seigel Drums: John Robinson, Carlos Vega, Vinnie Colaiuta, Doane Perry Percussion: Mike Fisher, Don Williams, Chaz Love Flute: George Englund Background Vocals: Jermaine Jackson, Brock Walsh, Joseph Williams, Nick Uhrig, Paul Gordon, Michele Gruska, Debbie Shapiro #JayGruska
AOR Warner Bros. Records, USA CD 1990
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Harvey Mason / Funk In A Mason Jar
Harvey Mason, one of the most sought-after drummers, is well-known for his contribution to Herbie Hancock’s acclaimed 1973 album “Head Hunters” that featured the masterpiece electronic jazz funk tune “Chameleon”. In 1991, Mason formed the super contemporary jazz group “Fourplay” with Bob James, Lee Ritenour and Nathan East. Since 1975, Mason also releases his own leader albums constantly. In 1977, Mason released his third leader album “Funk In A Mason Jar” for Arista, that reached the Top 40 on the USA R&B charts and the Top 10 on the Jazz charts. “Till You Take My Love” featuring Merry Clayton whoprovided the soulful vocals became a 1970’s R&B classic and Marvin Gaye's “What's Going On” with George Benson on vocals and guitar” Release: 1977 Label: Arista Records, USA (AB 4157) First Reissued CD Release: 21 Feburary, 1990 (RCA Records, Japan, B19D-47031) Tracks: 1. Pack Up Your Bags 2. Till You Take My Love 3. Space Cadets 4. Freedom Either Way 5. Funk In A Mason Jar 6. What's Goin' On ? 7. Set It Free 8. Phantazia 9. Liquid Bonus Track(s) added to the reissued CD version(s): 2011 Soul Music.com Records, UK (SMCR 5025 released on 19 September,2011) 10. Pack Up Your Bags (US Single) 11. Till You Take My Love (Original 12" Mix - UK Single) Producer: Harvey Mason Harvey Mason: Drums, Vibraphone, Bells, Congas, Percussion, Vocals - Musicians - Keyboards & Pianos: David Foster, Bob James, Dave Grusin, David Paich, Jerry Peters, Ronnie Foster, Jorge Dalto, Ian Underwood Guitars: Jay Graydon, Al Mckay, Ray Parker Jr., Lee Ritenour, Mike Sembello, David T. Walker, Phil Upchurch, George Benson Bass: Louis Johnson, Mike Porcaro, Anthony Jackson, Stanly Banks, Verdine White, Nate Watt Horns: Emilio Castillo, Dick "Slide" Hyde, Tom Scott, Larry Williams, Greg Adams, Jerry Hey, Kim Hutchcroft, Bill Watrous, Chuck Finley, Mic Gillette, Gary Grant, Lenny Picket, Kenny Mason Vibes: Victor Feldman Harp: Dorothy Ashby Percussion: Ralph McDonald, Steve Foreman Lead & Background Vocals: Art Wilson, Merry Clayton, Paullete McWilliams, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Stephanie Spruill, Charles Veal
2 Contemporary Jazz Soul Music.com Records, UK Arista Records, USA
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Hard Candy
The artworks of Doheny’s second album is very much stylish, I think. It was done by Moshe Brakha, who was also known for his artworks of Boz Scaggs’ masterpiece album “Silk Degrees”. In 1974, Doheny met Hamish Stuart, the Average White Band. Doheny wrote two songs with Stuart; “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me” and A Love of Your Own”. A demo of “A Love of Your Own” came to the attention of Steve Cropper, as a result Cropper would be the producer of this album “Hard Candy” and following one “Prone”. It was widely said that Cropper gave Doheny a blue-eyed soul funk. Release: 1976 Label: Columbia Records - CBS Inc., USA (PC 34259) First Reissued CD Release: 1 August, 1990 (,CBS Sony, Japan CSCS-6022) Tracks: 1. Get It Up For Love 2. If You Should Fall 3. Each Time You Pray 4. When Love Hangs In The Balance 5. A Love Of Your Own 6. I've Got Your Number 7. On The Swingshift 8. Sing To Me 9. Valentine (I Was Wrong About You) Producer: Steve Cropper Ned Doheny: Vocals, Guitar - Musicians - Guitar: Ernie Corello, Steve Cropper Bass: Dennis Parker, Bryan Garlofalo, Colin Cameron, Lazlo Wicky, John Heard Keyboards: David Foster, Jimmy Calire, David Garland, Craig Doerge Drums: Gary Mallaber, John Guerin Percussion: Victor Feldman, Steve Foreman Sax: Tom Scott, Jim Horn, Don Menza Trombone: Chuck Findley Trumpet: Chuck Findley Horns: Tower of Power horn section (arranged by Greg Adams) Background Vocals: Rosemary Butler, Fleming Williams, Brooks Hunnicutt, Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Linda Ronstadt, J.D. Souther, Steve Cropper, Hamish Stuart #NedDoheny
AOR Columbia Records, USA CD 1990
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