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Player
Peter Beckett moved to Los Angeles from England to pursue further his music career, then reunited with Steve Kipner, his old bandmate to form Skyband with Lane Caudell. Skyband recorded an album in London and released as self-titled debut album for RCA in 1975 but was not successful enough. In 1977 finally Peter Beckett came across J.C. Crowley when both attended party in Hollywood and they got together and jam, began working on their new material in Crowley's garage, they recorded a single record “Jukebox Saturday Night” under the name of Bandana, c/w “Love Is Where You Find It", later to be re-recorded for Player’s first album. The two were introduced to Ronn Moss. Then Moss brought in his old friend John Friesen. Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter liked their materials and took the guys into the studio to record a few songs. Thus, they got a deal with RSO label. The band also added keyboard player Wayne Cook,former band member of Steppenwolf, Cook was not pictured on the album cover, joining after the publicity photo was taken. The band finally released the lead single "Baby Come Back” that broke on the radio in October of 1977 and their self-titled debut album followed. They first performed live as the opening act for Gino Vanelli November of 1977, then later with Boz Scaggs. “Baby Come Back” reached number 1 on US single chart early January 1978. The second single “This Time I'm in It for Love" also reached number 10. The album peaked number 26 on Billboard 200. Release: September, 1977 Label, RSO Records, USA (RS-1-3026) First Reissued CD Release: 28 August, 2001 (2 on 1 CD with “Danger Zone”, One Way Records, USA, 314589290-2) First Reissued CD Release as an album: 27 July, 2011 (A&M Records - Universal Music, Japan, UICY-75089) Tracks: 1. Come On Out 2. Baby Come Back 3. Goodbye (That's All I Ever Heard) 4. Melanie 5. Every Which Way 6. This Time I'm In It For Love 7. Love Is Where You Find It 8. Movin' Up 9. Cancellation 10. Tryin' To Write A Hit Song Producers:Dennis Lambert, Brian Potter Player: Peter Beckett: Guitars, Vocals Ronn Moss: Bass, Vocals J.C. Crowley: Keyboards, Guitars, Vocals John Friesn: Drums Wayne Cook: Keyboards - Musicians - Keyboards: Michael Omartian Guitars: Reed Kailing, Jay Lewis Drums, Percussion: Jack White Percussion, Vibraphone: Gary Coleman Sax: Jim Horn Flute: Jim Horn #Player
AOR One Way Records, USA RSO Records, USA Universal Music JapanTakeito
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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, JapanTakeito
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John O'Banion / Danger
It is a little complicated for me to review "Danger" because this album is his third album here in Japan but his second album in USA. After big success of his debut album with "Love You Like I Never Loved Before" both in Japan and in USA, John O'Banion performed live in Japan and he won the grand prix at Tokyo Music Festival with his new song "I Don't Want To Lose Your Love" in the spring of 1982, which made him more popular in Japan. Wea Japan would strongly hope that they should release John O'Banion's new album as soon as possible. Thus, the album "Close Up" comprising of 7 new studio recording tracks later included on his US second album "Danger" plus 3 live tracks "Thru The Eyes Of Love", "Standing On The Edge" and "Caught" recorded in Japan in April 1982. And several months later, we had his full studio recording album "Danger". It is my impression that this album has been very popular especially in Europe more than in Japan and in USA. In February 2011 when the album was re-reissued, all the tracks only on “Close Up” were added as bonus tracks, thus the complete “Danger “ edition became available. Release: 1982 Label: Elektra Records, USA (9 60173-1) First Reissued CD Release: 21 June, 2000 (EastWest, Japan, AMCY-6141) Tracks: 1. Danger 2. She Doesn't Mean A Thing To Me 3. I Don't Want To Lose Your Love 4. Thru The Eyes Of Love 5. Undercover Love 6. Our Love 7. I'm The One 8. Deep In The Night 9. Let Me Be Yours Tonight 10. Take Me Back Bonus Track(s) added to Reissued CD(s): 2011 Vivid Sound Corporation, Japan (VSCD-3515 released on 23 February, 2011) 11. Inside This Heart Of Mine 12. Thru The Eyes Of Love - Live 13. Standing On The Edge - Live 14. Caught - Live Producers: Joey Carbone, Richie Zito John O’Banion: Vocals - Musicians - Keyboards: Joey Carbone, James Newton Howard Guitar: Richie Zito Bass: John Pierce, Dennis Belfield Drums: Carlos Vega Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa Sax: Jim Horn Background Vocals: Joey Carbone, Bobby Kimball, John Joyce, Jimmy Haas, Joe Chemay, Joe Pizzulo, Leslie, Kelly, John Ford Corey #JohnO’Banion
4 AOR East West Japan Elektra Records, USATakeito
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Harvey Mason / Groovin' You
Following the success of the album “Funk In A Mason Jar”, Harvey Mason released his fourth leader album in 1979 “ Groovin’ You” that featured a cover of Antonio Carlos Jobim's '”Wave.” The funky title track became Mason's first dance music hit single with Mason’s own lead vocal with Kenny Mason, Morris Paul Kennedy. Bill Champlin contributed his blue-eyed soul lead vocals on the track “Here Today, Gone Tomorrow”, that would be very impressive for me. Release: 1979 Label: Arista Records, USA (AB 4227) First Reissued CD Release: 23 July, 1999 (BMG Funhouse, Inc., Japan, BVCJ-37070 Tracks: 1. I'd Still Be There 2. Groovin' You 3. The Race 4. We Can 5. Never Give You Up 6. Say It Again 7. Here Today, Gone Tomorrow 8. Wave 9. Kauai Bonus Track(s) added to the reissued CD version(s): 2011 Soul Music.com Records, UK (SMCR 5018 released on 6 June, 2011) 10. Groovin' You (Arista 12" Single / UK 12" Single) 11. Groovin' You (US 7" Single) Producer: Harvey Mason Associate Producer: Kenny Mason Harvey Mason: Drums, Marimba, Shaker, Timpani, Triangle, Vibraphone, Xylophone, Congas, Vocals, Keyboards - Musicians - Bass: Dennis Belfield, Stanly Clarke, Tony Dumas, Neil Jason, Mike Porcaro, David Shields, Verdine White Drums: David Williams Guitars: Jay Graydon, Steve Lukather, Ray Paker Jr., Lee Ritenour, David Spinozza, Phil Upchurch, Melvin "Wah-Wah" Watson Keyboards & Pianos: Peter Chaikin, David Foster, Bob James, Bill Meyers, Phil Moores, Jerry Peters, Richard Tee, Randy Waldman, Jai Winding Horns: Kenny Mason, Wilfredo Wilson Percussion: Sheila Escovedo (known as Sheila E.), Ralph McDonald Lead and Background Vocals: Bill Champlin, James Gilstrap, Jim Haas, Ron Hickland, Bunny Hill, Roger Saint-Kennerly, Stephanie Spruill, Jerry Whitman, Charles Veal Jr.
2 Contemporary Jazz Funk Arista Records, USATakeito
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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, USATakeito