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Bill Hughes / Dream Master
Bill Hughes was another artists besides Dick St. Nicklaus, who were strongly supported by Sony Music Japan Osaka Branch in the autumn of 1979. Bill Hughes started his professional music career as a member of the soft rock band "Lazarus" in early 70's under Bearsville Records. In 1977, Hughes got a deal as a solo artist with CBS Records Canada. Thus "Dream Master" had been created. As you can see the below, great Westcoast studio musicians were involved. Hughes performed soft and mellow tunes all through this album. We had to wait for his next album until 1991. It was "Welcome To The Edge", which was released under the name of Billie Hughes and as you may know Hughes changed not only his first name but also music style.... Release: 1979 Label: Epic Records, USA (JE35521) First Reissued CD Release: 19 December, 2001 (Epic Records International, Inc. Japan, EICP 7018) Tracks: 1. Stealin' My Heart Away 2. Dreams Come True 3. Waiting For You To Fly 4. Only Love 5. Lower Lights 6. Gypsy Lady 7. Quiet Moment 8. Catch Me Smilin' 9. Only Your Heart Can Say 10. Dream Master Producer: Henry Lewy Bill Hughes: Vocals, Acoustic Guitar - Musicians - Drums: Russ Kunkel, Jeff Porcaro, John Dell, Rick Shlosser, Kat Hendrike Bass: Wilton Felder, Allen Soberman, Joel Wade, Mike Porcaro Guitars: Will McFarland, Jay Graydon, Mitch Holder, Tony Peluso, Oscar Castro-Neves, Terry Frewer, Brett Wade Keyboards:Mike Melvoin, Randy Kumano, Gary Lyons, Lincoln Mayorga, Ian Underwood, Dale Jacobs, Doug Louie Harpsichord & Vibes: Victor Feldman Percussion: Gary Lyons, Steve Foreman, Victor Feldman, Jose Feliciano Sax: Earnie Watts, Ray Pizzi Background Vocals: Renee Armand, Laura Creamer, Clark Burroughs, Collen Peterson, Brett Wade, Joanie Taylor, Terry Frewer, Ventta Fields, Sherlie Mathews, Paulette Brown, Jose Feliciano, Ian Freebairn-Smith #BillHughes
AOR Epic Records, USA Epic Records, USA CDTakeito
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China
China was one of the not-famous but good Canadian AOR/Westcoast band with typical Jay Graydon's harmonized guitar sounds but not done by Jay himself. Let me allow to introduce the band members' career for your information based on Toshikazu Kanazawa's liner notes for this CD. (Thank you in advance for Toshikazu Kanazawa! Without your guidance, I cannot say any information about the background of the members.) Chris Kearney released 3 solo albums categorized as Canadian Swamp in early 70's under Capitol Records, Canada; "Christopher Kearney" (1972), "Pemmican Stash"(1973) and "Sweetwater" (1974). Danny McBride participated in the musical "Jesus Christ, Super Star" and released his solo album "Morningside" recorded in London. At last but least, Bill King, the only American nationality released 2 solo albums including "Goodbye Superdad" (1973) under Capitol Records, Canada. Bill also participated in the musical "Jesus Christ, Super Star" and met Danny there... Release: 21 October, 1981 Label : Epic Records, USA (FE 37633) First Reissued CD Release: 20 June, 2001 (Sony Music Entertainment, Japan, ESCA-7866) Tracks 1. You Can't Rent Love That Way 2. Runnin' Around 3. Fast Livin' 4. There Was A Time 5. Shootout In The Parking Lot 6. Never Gonna Let You Go 7. Roll Me Over 8. Little Dancer 9. Come And Take My Love 10. Days And Nights Producer: Bob Johnston Creative Arranger: Jay Graydon China: Bill King: Keyboards, Lead Vocals, Background Vocals Danny McBride: Guitars, Lead Vocals, Background Vocals Chris Kearney: Lead Vocals, Background Vocals - Musicians - Bass: Abraham Laboriel, Gene Falbo Drums: Mike Baird, Andy Newmark, Gord Neave Keyboards: Michael Boddicker Guitars: Lee Ritenour, Albert Lee, Bernie Labarge, Jeff Baxter Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa #China
AOR Epic Records, USA Sony Music Entertainment, Japan CDTakeito
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Pages (1978)
Among many AOR / Wesrciast bands/ projects, everyone must agree that Pages is very special one beyond decades. The history of Pages was dating back to high school days of two guys in Phoenix, Arizona. Richard Page was born on 16 May, 1953 in Iowa. Steve George was born on 20 May, 1955 in Iowa. Both guys moved to Phoenix, Arizona and thus their paths crossed there. After high school, the two moved to Los Angeles and occasionally played together in bands. In 1977, Andy Gibb hired Page and George to perform vocals and keyboards as part of his backing band along with Peter Leinheiser on lead guitar, Jerry Manfredi on bass and Russ Battelene on drums. Gibb toured with this group of musicians throughout 1977. The band recorded a demo tape and came to the attention of Bobby Colomby, the former Blood, Sweat & Tears drummer and signed the group as Pages to Epic Records. Pages also included Page's cousin John Lang. Although Lang could not play a musical instrument (he claimed he was tone deaf), he became Pages' chief lyricist.Thus, the eponymous first album was released in 1978, that was highly sophisticated- jazz-influenced progressive rock music with Westcoast harmonies. Release: 4 September, 1978 Label: Epic Records, USA (JE35459) First Reissued CD Release: 1994 (Epic Records, Europe, 4758612) Tracks: 1. Clearly Kim 2. This Is For The Girls 3. Let It Go 4. Listen For The Love 5. Love Dance 6. If I Saw You Again 7. Interlude 8. It's Alright 9. Room At The Top 10. I Get It From You Producer: Bobby Colomby Pages: Richard Page: Lead and Background Vocals, Clavinet Steve George: Keyboards, Background Vocals Peter Leinheiser: Guitars Jerry Manfredi: Bass Russ Battelene: Drums - Musicians - Percussion: Steve Foreman, Caludio Slon, Bobby Colomby, Chuck Silverman, Tim Downs Vibes: Victor Feldman Conga: Francisco Aquabella Background Vocals: Philip Bailey, Lani Groves, Donna Fien, Mary Hylan, Linda Mallah, Bobby Colomby Sax: Michael Brecker Horns Arrangement: Randy Brecker Strings and Flutes Arrangement: Dave Grusin #Pages #RichardPage #SteveGeorge
AOR Epic Records, Europe Epic Records, USA CDTakeito
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I-Ten / Taking A Cold Look
I-TEN is the duo unit of Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly (ex. Fools Gold). I guess you have heard the names of Bill Steinberg and Tom Kelly as the songwriter team known for their hit songs such as "Like A Virgin" performed by Madonna, "True Colors" performed by Cyndy Lauper, "So Emotional" performed by Whitney Houston and/or "Alone" performed by Heart. The quality of the melodies on this album are very good as their later hits. Release: 1983 Label : Epic Records, USA (BFE38602) First Reissued CD Release: 1991 (Epic Austria 466667 2) Tracks: 1. Taking A Cold Look 2. Quicksand 3. Alone 4. Workin' For A Lovin' 5. Lonely In Each Other's Arms 6. I Don't Want To Lose You 7. Time To say Goodbye 8. The Easy Way Out 9. I've Been Crying 10. Pressing My Luck Producers: Keith Olsen and Steve Lukather I-Ten: Tom Kelly: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards Billy Steinberg: Vocals Guitar - Musicians - Guitar: Steve Lukather, Chas Sanford Bass: Dennis Belfield Keyboards: Alan Pasqua, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Peggy Sandvig Drums: Mike Baird Percussion: Lenny Castro Background Vocals: Richard Page #I-Ten
AOR Epic Records, USA CD 1991Takeito
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Tony Sciuto / Island Nights
It may be hard to imagine for non-Japanese that Tony Sciuto was one of the most successful AOR artists selling an album in Japan at the opening year of 1980's and that on the FM radio, Japanese boys and girls could listen to his smash hit "Island Nights" many times every day. After selling quite a large number of "Island Nights" vinyl copies here in Japan, Tony did Japanese tour which was very successful too. Unfortunately, Tony's "Island Nights" did not sell well in USA. As the result, his second album "Be My Radio" which was ready to go, were never released then. In July 1999, Tony Sciuto self-reissued the album "Island Nights" as the 20th Anniversary Limited Edition CD with 4 bonus tracks; 2 live recordings and 2 unreleased tunes. However, the quality of the master was not good enough. We had to wait for another 12 years + to have the satisfactory remastered edition by Vivid Sound Japan that had 8 bonus tracks (2 studio recording tracks already on the above-mentioned 20th Anniversary edition plus 6 unreleased studio recording materials. Precisely, second self-reissued digital remastered edition was released in 2011, but Vivid Sound did not agree with the remaster, thus extra months were spent. Speaking of the bonus tracks on 2012 edition, “ Where Would We Be Without Love?” and “ One More Time Until Tomorrow” were Richie Zito and Joey Carbone 1978 productions, featuring Tom Saviano on Sax, and “Going Through The Emotions” and “Temptation Alley” were recorded in 1979. “Ragtime” was recorded in 1976 featuring clarinet by his dad. “ On The Cold Street” and “Black & Blue Heart” were written and recorded after the “Island Nights” album release in 1980. Release: 1980 Label: Epic Records, USA (NJE-36152) Tracks: 1. Island Nights Theme 2. Island Nights 3. Hold Back A License 4. You’ve Got A License (To Drive Me Crazy) 5. Cafe L.A. 6. Trapeze 7. Angel 8. Captain Wonderful 9. .Street Dancer 10. Butterfly Producers: Steve Dorff, Tony Sciuto Tony Sciuto: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards - Musicians - Guitars: Ben Benay, Tom Rotella, Steve Lukather, Larry Herbstritt Steel Guitar; Jaydee Maness Keyboards: Bill Cuomo, Gary Griffin Synthesizer: Steve Dorff Bass: Michael Sciuto, Mike Porcaro, Scott Edwards Drums: Ed Greene, Ron Tutt Percussion: Steve Warehime, John Raines Lyricon: Tom Scott Sax: Tom Scott, Jim Horn Flugelhorn: Chuck Findley Background Vocals: Ginger Blake, Venetta Fields, Shirley Mathews, Joe Chemay, Curt Betcher, Peter Noone, Michael Sciuto, Larry Herbstritt Bonus Track(s) added to to the reissued CD version(s): 1999 self-reissued edition (reissued in July 1999 no catalogue number) / Cool One-Stop - Cool Sound Inc., Japan (distributed from 10 September , 2000, COOS-2014) 11. Hold Back The Night (live in Japan) 12. Cafe L.A. (live in Japan) 13. On The Cold Street 14. Black & Blue Heart 2011 self-reissued edition (no catalogue number) 11. Where Would We Be Without Love? 12. One More Time Until Tomorrow 13. Going Through The Emotions 14. Temptation Alley 15. Captain Wonderful (1977 Demo) 16. Ragtime 2012 reissued edition (reissued on 22 February 2012, Vivid Sound VSCD-3533) 11. Where Would We Be Without Love? 12. One More Time Until Tomorrow 13. Going Through The Emotions 14. Temptation Alley 15. Captain Wonderful (1977 Demo) 16. Ragtime 17. On The Cold Street 18. Black & Blue Heart - Priducers and Musicians for bonus tracks - Producers: Richie Zito, Joey Carbone, Tony Sciuto Tony Sciuto: Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards Guitars: Richie Zito, Mic Taylor Keyboards: Joey Carbone, Scott Johnson, Richard Lake, Paul Soroka, Gary Griffin Steel Guitar: Hymle Banjo: Richard Roeder Bass: Michael Sciuto Drums: Steve Warehime, Larry Kegley Percussion: Steve Warehime Sax: Tom Saviano, Paul Soroka, Ray Sydnor, Al Rossl Lyricon: Paul Soroka Flugelhorn: Jimmy Wilson Clarinet: Antonino Sciuto Sr., Gordon Miller Sr. Trombone: Sammy Dyson #TonySciuto
4 8 AOR Epic Records, USATakeito
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Don Johnson / Heartbeat
Don Johnsons, an American actor, established his firm status in USA entertainment industry by starring role “Sonny" Crockett as undercover police detective in the television series Miami Vice aired from 1984 to 1990. In 1986 Johnson released the album “Heartbeat” in 1986 and the title track of the album, written by Erik Kaz and Wendy Waldman became Billboard Top 5 hit , and the album was also climbing up on the Billboard chart and peaked at number 17. It was quite natural since here are the songwriters for the album tracks; Bill LaBounty, John Capek, Tony Sciuto, Tom Petty, Bob Seger and Chas Sandford, the producer of the album. The recording was done with all-star musicians including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Ron Wood, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson and Bill & Tamara Champlin. Thus , the result was good AOR album of mid 1980’s, without saying. Don Johnson released another album “Let it Roll” in 1989. When the “Heartbeat” was reissued on CD in 1998, 6 tracks from the album “Let It Roll” were added as bonus tracks. Release: September, 1986 Label: Epic Records, USA (EK 40366) Tracks: 1. Heartbeat 2. Voice on a Hotline 3. The Last Sound Love Makes 4. Lost in Your Eyes 5. Coco Don't 6. Heartache Away 7. Love Roulette 8. Star Tonight 9. Gotta Get Away 10. Can't Take Your Memory Bonus Track(s) added to the reissued CD version(s): 1998 Razor & Tie Music, USA (82168-2 released on 19 May, 1998) 11. Other People's Lives 12. Angel City 13. When You Only Loved Me 14. Let It Roll 15. What If It Takes All Night 16. Little One's Lullaby Producers: Chas Sandford (Track 1-10), Keith Diamond (Track 11-16) Don Johnson: Vocals - Musicians - Guitar: Chas Sandford, Dweezil Zappa, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Dickey Betts, Ron Wood Keyboards: Charles Judge, Bill Champlin, Bass: Mark Leonard Drums: Curly Smith Horns: Earl Gardner, Lenny Pickett Sax: Lenny Pickett Harmonica: Micky Raphael Tambourine: Chas Sandford Background Vocals: Bill Champlin, Tamara Champlin, Chas Sandford, Bonnie Raitt, Michael Des Barres, Jamie Skylar, Willie Nelson - Musicians (for bonus tracks on 1998 reissued version) - Guitar: Ira Siegel, Kennan Keating, Dave Resnik, Steve Jones, Paul Pesco Keyboards: Keith Diamond, Ron Schwartz, Jeff Daniels, Mike Jewel Synthesizer [Fairlight] – EBN Bass: Paul Pesco, Carl James, Keith Diamond, Larry Russell, Wayne Brathwaite Drums: Omar Hakim, John Keane, J.T. Lewis, Keith Diamond, Terry Silverlight Percussion: Bashiri Johnson Cymbal: Acar Key Sax:Danny Wilensky Trumpet:Chris Botti, Kent Smith Background Vocals: Curtis King, Joe Lynn Turner, Michael Camacho, Tracy Amos, Chrissy Faith, Janice Dempsey, Rock Wilk, Yogi Lee, Cindi Mizelle, Lauren Kinhan, Louis Merlino, Audrey Wheeler, Barbra Streisand, Debbie Cole, Jill Del'Abate Other [Additional Party People] : Anna Mewbourne, Keith D., Kenny Calman, Melanie Griffith, Mike Sobeck #DonJohnson
6 AOR Epic Records, USA Razor & Tie Music, USATakeito
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Trillion
Trillion is widely known because of Fergie Frederiksen (ex TOTO lead singer) in general. However, the key person of the band must be rather Patrick Leonard, who made big success as a songwriter and producer, particularly with Madonna for her albums “True Blue” (1986), “Who's That Girl” (1987), “Like a Prayer” (1989), “I'm Breathless” (1990) and “Ray of Light” (1998). In late 1970’s, American Hard Progressive bands were very popular and Leonard formed the band Trillion with the drummer Bill Wilkins, welcoming Dennis “Fergie” Frederiksen as the lead singer and signed a deal with Epic Records, thus the band self-titled debut album was produced by Gary Lyons, known as the additional engineer for Queen’s masterpiece album “A Night At The Opera” (1975) and the producer of the Foreigner self-titled debut album(1977), and released in 1978. The band Trillion disappeared after releasing the second album “Clear Approach” without Frederiksen who was fired and replaced by Thom Griffin, then the band leader Leonard decided to depart. Release: 1978 Label: Epic Records,USA (JE35460) Reissued CD: 21 May, 1998 Epic Sony, Japan (ESCA-7714) 9 September, 2015 Sony Music Entertainment, Japan (SICP-4549) February, 2010 Rock Candy , UK (CANDY067) Tracks: 1. Hold Out 2. Big Boy 3. Give Me Your Money Honey 4. Never Had It So Good 5. May As Well Go 6. Fancy Action 7. Hand It To The Wind 8. Bright Night Lights 9. Child Upon The Earth Producer: Gary Lyons Trillion: Bass/ Vocals: Ron Anaman Guitar/ Vocals: Frank Barbalace Lead Vocals / Bells: Dennis Frederiksen (Fergie Frederiksen) Piano / Keyboards: Patrick Leonard #Trillion #PatrickLeonard #FergieFrederiksen
AOR Melodic Rock Epic Records, USA CDTakeito