Now You Know LOREN HARRIET - Round Up The Usual Suspects (1995)

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Loren Harriet is a name that doesn't ring a bell among general rock fans, but this executive producer and musician has been behind several major music projects.
By 1993, the man had the chance to set aside the concerning aspects of the business, and go for his guilty pleasure; his artistic side as musician.

"Round Up The Usual Suspects" is his one and only album, and as you could imagine, heavy weight musicians were part of the recording.
If Loren's name is unknown to you, I'm sure Bill Champlin, Michael Landau, Timothy B. Schmit or Leland Sklar are not.
This stellar line-up (check personnel below) really shine on these quality westcoast/AOR tunes. Some tracks are more classic rock&pop oriented, but with an aorish flavor all over.
Harriet's vocals aren't the strongest, but all the time he's cleverly supported by monsters like Champlin (on 3 tracks), Schmit, Nicolette Larson, Jay Winding, Vonda Shepard... you can't go wrong with these gorgeous throats.
Musically all the songs are impeccable, and even on the few weakest tracks the musicianship is really good, particularly Michael Landau's awesome guitars.

Originally released as promo in 1993, "Round Up The Usual Suspects" was finally published two years after in small quantities.
Mega-Rare.


01 - What Do You Really
02 - Just A Matter Of Mind
03 - Native Son
04 - Be Strong
05 - Loyal Friend
06 - Do You Believe
07 - Stand And Fight
08 - Living A Lie
09 - Strange Man
10 - All The Way
11 - El Dorado
12 - Friends





LOREN HARRIET - Round Up The Usual Suspects
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Now You Know ANGELES - Fade In Love (1991)

Requested in "Request & Fill Corner" section...

This one was requested by a reader and I thought it's a good moment for some nice West Coast here.
"Angeles" was a project by Japanese AOR / Adult Contemporary guru Kaz Masumoto. With the help of Brett Raymond (Jay Graydon band) playing, arranging and producing, they went to California to record these tunes recruiting the cream of the L.A. Session musicians.

The tracks in the Angeles project are songs from popular Japanese AOR group Off Course (already presented in this blog, follow the tags & labels) re-arranged with an American West Coast AOR flavor and played by Michael Landau, Gregg Bissonette, James Kottak and Raymond itself among other luminaries of the genre.



The vocalists are top notch as well; Peter Beckett, Joseph Williams, Gene Miller, Tom Keane, etc. The songs are really good, mixing uptempos with ballads. Needless to say that production is first class.
Rare album only released in Japan.


01 - Prologue (instrumental)
02 - Don't Stop The Love (Peter Beckett)
03 - This September Feeling (Gene Miller)
04 - Eyes In The Back Of My Heart (Brett Raymond)
05 - Sleepless Night (Joe Retta)
06 - Endless Nights (Brett Raymond)
07 - Yes-No (Joe Retta)
08 - My Wish (Gene Miller)
09 - Sayonara (Joseph Williams)
10 - Epilogue (instrumental)

Producer: Kaz Masumoto
Guitars: Michael Landau
Keyboards, Hammond, Arranger: Brett Raymond
Drums: Gregg Bissonette, Richie Hayward, James Kottak
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa, Sean Yarbrough
Sax: Dave Koz
Strings: Peter Kent, Sid Page, Bob Becker
Lead Vocals: Peter Beckett, Gene Miller, Brett Raymond, Joe Retta , Joseph Williams
Background Vocals: Tom Keane, Marc Jordan, Brett Raymond, Joe Retta & Joseph Williams




ANGELES - Fade In Love 1991
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Now You Know RUSS TAFF - Walls Of Glass [Japanese remaster] (1983)

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Singer and composer RUSS TAFF made a name by himself as vocalist for The Imperials and stated a solo career with is record from 1983: "Walls Of Glass".
Taff is one of the more versatile artists from Christian music movement with a highly respectable success into the secular charts, specially during the '80s.

I have already posted on the blog Russ Taff's second album 'Medals', a true AOR little gem. This "Walls Of Glass", as said, was released previously and cemented his abilities as composer and performer.
Seems when Taff announced he quit The Imperials there were many 'big cats' eager to record with him on his debut "Walls Of Glass". Just check the personnel: master Michael Landau on guitar, king of groove Jeff Porcaro, Nathan East, Abraham Laboriel, Bill Champlin, James Newton Howard, even Franke Previte from Franke & The Knockouts contributing harmony vocals... impressive session musicians.



Conducted & arranged by talented Robbie Buchanan (who also play several instruments) and produced with a crystal clear sound by Bill Schnee (Huey Lewis, Boz Scaggs, Franke & The Knockouts), "Walls Of Glass" is a wonderful record.
This one is more Westcoast oriented than 'Medals' (more radio-AOR), but the exact definition would be 'L.A. session' sound.
Long time deleted, Russ Taff's "Walls Of Glass" was remastered some years ago by the specialzed Japanese label Cool Sound. But it's out to print again, and it's really hard to find.
First half of the '80s quality AOR.


01 - Tell Them
02 - Walls Of Glass
03 - Jeremiah
04 - Pure In Heart
05 - We Will Stand
06 - I Want To Change
07 - Inside Look
08 - Just Believe
09 - Kathryn's Song
10 - Unto The Lamb

Vocals – Russ Taff
Keyboards, Synth Bass – Robbie Buchanan
Guitar – Marty Walsh, Michael Landau, James Hollihan
Keyboards, Synths, Piano – Robbie Buchanan
Keyboards – Bill George
Piano, Synths – James Newton Howard
Synths – Michael Omartian
Bass – Nathan East, Richard Hopkins, Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Jeff Porcaro, Mike Baird, John Hammond
Horns – Charlie Loper, Ernie Watts, Gary Grant, Jerry Hey
Saxophone [Sax Solo] – Ernie Watts
Harmony Vocals – Franke Previte
Backing Vocals – Bill Champlin, Carmen Twillie, Tamara Champlin, Arnold McCuller, David Lasley, Bonnie Bramlett, Russell Taff




RUSS TAFF Walls Of Glass Japanese remaster
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Now You Know JOSEPH WILLIAMS - Joseph Williams [Complete Edition +3] Cool-092 (2002)

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Son of one of the most important film score composers in Hollywood's history, JOSEPH WILLIAMS started his musical career in the seventies singing singles, backing vocals as sessionist and recording countless demos.
John became famous, of course, as Toto's lead singer since 1986, but he recorded his first, self-titled solo album in 1981-82.

"Joseph Williams", the LP, is a faithful representative of the L.A. session / AOR Westcoast sound of its era, featuring excellent musicians like Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, Robbie Buchanan, Jay Gruska and many more.
Strangely, it wasn't pressed on CD until Japanese label Cool Sound reissued the album in 1998, on one of their first efforts as 'record reissue' company. It was augmented by themselves in 2002, with this "Joseph Williams [Complete Edition +3]" including three bonus tracks - yes, there's a print error on the cover.



Although not reaching the full vocal potential he developed later in Toto, this 1981 recording shows Joseph Williams colourful set of pipes and great sense for melodic harmonies.


01 - What Is She Hiding
02 - That First Night
03 - Takin' It
04 - One More Chance
05 - I Didn't Do It
06 - This Girl
07 - Something Special
08 - Nothing's Lost
09 - Make Some Time
10 - Anything You Say (bonus track)
11 - You Forever (bonus track)
12 - I Didn't Do It [Alternate Take] (bonus track)

Vocals: Joseph Williams
Keyboards: Robbie Buchanan, David Garfield, Michael Omartian
Guitars: Steve Lukather, Michael Landau
Bass: Jay Gruska, Dean Cortez Moog
Drums: Mark T. Williams
Percussion: Lenny Castro
Sax: Steve Tavaglione
Horns: Jerry Hey, Chuck Findley, Larry Williams, Jim Horn
Background Vocals: Richard Page, Steve George, Tommy Funderburk




Joseph Williams [Complete Edition +3]
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Now You Know JACK WAGNER - Don't Give Up Your Day Job (1987) remastered

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When actors become singers... usually close to disaster. However that was not the case with talented JACK WAGNER, from which I already posted here some of his albums. Occurs that the good Jack not only has a smooth voice but he was able (and his manager) to surround him with the best of the best.
For his 3rd LP "Don't Give Up Your Day Job" (1987), we have again the cream of the 'L.A. boys': Michael Landau, Dann Huff, Clif Magness, Robbie Buchanan, Glen Ballard, Nathan East... and the list never ends.

Although at the time of its release "Don't Give Up Your Day Job" was marketed as 'West Coast pop', the album is a pretty uptempo collection of AOR songs.
Of course there's a couple of suave, charming West Coast ballads, but this is a mid-'80s sounding record destined to radio. You can feel Glen Ballard's touch (one of the producers) and his hand for poppy, commercial radio-friendly sounds.
"Don't Give Up Your Day Job" is impeccably recorded and performed, and I like all the songs. Wagner co-penned half of the tracks, with outsider contributions from the likes of Diane Warren, Clif Magness, the mega-talented Billy Steinberg (on my favorite cut "Easy Way Out" also recorded by I-Ten) or Ballard itself.



For years, "Don't Give Up Your Day Job" was really hard to find, and in fact it's a record rarely seen featured into the blogosphere.
Rarer is this 2009 remaster which adds even more splendor to these meticulously recorded & produced songs.


01 - Weatherman Says
02 - Island Fever
03 - Love… Find It
04 - It's What We Don't Say
05 - Easy Way Out
06 - Common Man
07 - Lovers In The Night
08 - Sneakin' Suspicions
09 - It's Been A Long Time
10 - Back Home Again

Vocals, Guitar: Jack Wagner
Guitars: Michael Landau, Dann Huff, Nick Kirgo, Clif Magness, Tony Peluso, Paul Warren
Bass: Nathan East, Joe Chemay, John Farrar, Abe Laboriel
Keyboards; Robbie Buchanan, Randy Kerber, John Farrar, Glen Ballard, John Hobbs, John Van Tongeren, Mike Egizi, Marcel East
Synths: Randy Kerber, John Farrar, Jim Lang, John Van Tongeren
Drums: Vinnie Colauita, Paul Leim, Tony Humecke, David Logeman, Jack Bruno
Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
Guest Vocals: Siedah Garret (duet Track 4)
Sax: Joel Peskin
Backing Vocals: Joe Pizzulo, Gary Falcone, Roger Freeland, Maxine Waters, Julia & Oren Waters, Edie Lehman, Clif Magness, Glen Ballard, Joe Turano, John FarrarJohn Batdorf, Brie Howard, Paul Warren, Bryan McDonald, Robbie Buchanan




JACK WAGNER Don't Give Up Your Day Job - remastered
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Now You Know KADOMATSU T's SONGS FROM L.A. - The Ballad Covers Collection (2004)

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Japanese multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and orchestrator Toshiki Kadomatsu has been very popular in Asia since the early '80s creating music for other artists and recording his own albums in a Westcoast / AOR / Pop style, with many American musicians as session players.
During the '90s, and due the musical climate in the US, top artists from the genre found refugee in the Japanese market, always eager for delicate sounds and melodies.

Then Kadomatsu had the idea to re-work his most popular Japanese songs to be performed by US musicians, and moved to California to record this "KADOMATSU T's SONGS FROM L.A. - The Ballad Covers Collection" after the other volume including more poppy songs, previously featured here on the blog.
The best L.A. session cats were part of the project, including superb guitarists Jay Graydon & Michael Landau, alongside other monsters like Brett Raymond, Gino Vannelli, Tom Keane, Abraham Laboriel and more.



As on the previous volume the vocalists involved are top notch too: again Joseph Williams (Toto), Chicago's Jason Scheff and the great Tommy Funderburk, but now featuring the likes of Richard Page (Mr. Mister) and talented Brett Raymond doing lead vocals apart of playing keyboards and programming.
All singers did the lyric adaptation to English language and Kadomatsu the arrangements to fit the new versions. As you could imagine, this is a bunch of excellent material spotlessly clean produced and rich in smooth melodies all over.
Delicious CD only released in Japan, now out of print.


01 - Gino Vanelli - Still I'm In Love With You
02 - Michael North - Midnight Girl
03 - Jessica Sheely - You're My Only Shinin' Star
04 - Richard Page - Desire
05 - Lea Herman - August Rain
06 - Jason Scheff - Distance
07 - Henry Kapono - It's Hard to Say Good-Bye
08 - Presley Tucker - Mermaid Princess
09 - Brett Raymond - Let Me Say...
10 - Tommy Funderburk - Ramp In

Jay Graydon: Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Michael Landau: Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Toshi Onikuza: Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Tak Akimoto: Lead & Rhythm Guitars
Grant Geissman, Abraham Laboriel: Acoustic Guitars
John H. Wayne, Jim Stout: Bass
Todd Sorensen: Drums
Gino Vannelli: Piano
Brett Raymond: Keyboards & Programming
Tom Keane: Keyboards
Michael Binikos, Tak Akimoto: Keyboards, Programming
Marco Tessier: Programming
Richard Beaudette: Sax
Larry Lunetta, Andy Suzuki, Alex Ailes: Horns
Jason Scheff, Joseph Williams, Marilyn Martin, Tom Keane, Margaret Linn, Mary Linn, Michael North: Background vocals


KADOMATSU T's SONGS FROM L.A. Ballad Covers Collection
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Now You Know LISA HARTMAN - 'Til My Heart Stops (1988)

"Til My Heart Stops" by LISA HARTMAN is one of the best (if not the Best) produced records in 1988 speaking about female fronted AOR. Call it rock&pop, lite AOR, melodic synth rock, but definitively this is '80s AOR flavored, really modern production-wise and still sounds superb today.
The distinctive and good thing about this album are the upfront guitars in the mix. And of course, Lisa's smooth vocals that reminds me Patty Smyth (Scandal). We can hear as well similarities to Robin Beck, Liza Nemzo and why not, Heart.
Brilliantly produced by not other than Bill Wray (check his solo album posted on the blog), " ’Til My Heart Stops" has a punchy and crisp sound.

The opening keyboard lines of the first track "Tempt Me (If You Want To)" are to die for. This is pure Eighties. You only can get a song like this on an album recorded in that era. The guitars (courtesy of master Michael Landau) are from outer space. Also the killer chorus and powerful vocal delivery by Lisa.
"I Don't Need Love" is a terrific commercial midtempo followed by the radiable "Ooh, I'm Satisfied". Then another gem; "I Can't Get You Out Of My System" with its increscendo magical AOR vibe with extra-compressed drums.
Quirky keyboards ornament the melody of "Tender Kiss", a track with a monster rhythm guitar work and one of the most seasoned performances by Hartman.

"The Dress" is another winner: a charming soft melodic rocker penned by cult AORster James House.
"How Many Rivers" is slow and climatic. Here Lisa sounds like Luba, that's not a surprise because this song is written by her together with Bill Wray. I love the bridge before the short guitar solo.
"Imagination" is the only track that sounds pretty retro, circa 1983. Synth bass and programmed drums on a 'Flashdance' style tune. Then title track "'Til My Heart Stops Beating" is 'one of those' ballads. Really good vocals and arrangements ready for FM stations.



"Til My Heart Stops" is a pretty unknown album for many AOR fans perhaps due Hartman's pop origins. It's full of great tunes, strong vocals and superb musicianship (check personnel below). It's a perfect product of its time.
This is unfortunately Lisa Hartman last recording before she got married and decided to quit the business.
But what a great one it is.


1 - Tempt Me (If You Want To)
2 - I Don't Need Love
3 - Ooh, I'm Satisfied
4 - I Can't Get You Out Of My System
5 - Tender Kiss
6 - The Dress
7 - How Many Rivers
8 - Imagination
9 - 'Till My Heart Stops Beating

Lisa Hartman - Lead & Background Vocals
Michael Landau - Guitars
Trevor Rabin - Acoustic Guitar Solo (2)
Waddy Wachtel - Guitar (6, 7); Guitar Solo (6)
Larry Klein - Bass, Keyboards, Fairlight
Phil Brown - Bass, Guitar, Background Vocals
Steve Goldstein - Linn Programming, Keyboards, Bass
Mick Guzauski, Manu Katche - Percussion
Craig Krampf - Drum over-dubs
Kevin Raleigh - Background Vocals (4)
Timothy Schmidt - Background Vocals (8)
The Waters - Background Vocals (7)
Bill Wray - Producer, Background vocals (5, 7)




LISA HARTMAN - 'Til My Heart Stops 1988
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