november 30, 2020

Eric Carmen - Eric Carmen (1984) - €5,99

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Eric Carmen is the fifth album by rock and roll musician Eric Carmen. It was also his second self-titled LP after the 1975 album of the same name.
The album spent ten weeks on the U.S. Billboard album charts and reached its peak position of #128 in early March 1985. 
It contained one Top 40 hit single, "I Wanna Hear It from Your Lips," which peaked at #35 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the same month. The song was also a medium adult contemporary hit in both the United States (#10) and Canada (#17). "Spotlight" was featured as the B side of the 45 RPM."I'm Through With Love" was a minor follow-up hit in the U.S., reaching #87 on Billboard.

Eric Carmen's second self-titled album (his first came in 1975 ) sinks deep into the love-song quagmire without any attempts at freeing itself. Scoring a Top 40 hit with the sultry, bedroom essence of "I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips," Carmen took his lush romanticism to extremes, combing each track with gentle, tender lyrics that equal that of what Air Supply or Bread hold in their repertoire. 
Songs like "She Remembered" and "Come Back to My Love" are average relationship-gone-awry type of ballads best saved for a rainy night, while "American as Apple Pie" resuscitates the album for a brief moment with its sweetened rock charm. Although it was his first album after signing with Geffen, it only went as high as number 128 on the charts, with the second single, "I'm Through With Love," peaking at number 87. 
Three years after Eric Carmen was released, he showed that could bustle things up a bit with "Hungry Eyes" from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack, the song that gave him his first Top Ten single of the decade.


Side A
A1. I Wanna Hear It From Your Lips - 3:12  
A2. I'm Through With Love - 4:00  
A3. American As Apple Pie - 3:46  
A4. Living Without Your Love - 4:02  
A5. Come Back To My Love - 3:36  

Side B
B1. She Remembered - 4:28  
B2. You Took Me All The Way - 3:34  
B3. Maybe My Baby - 3:38  
B4. Spotlight - 4:10  
B5. The Way We Used To Be - 3:16  


Companies, etc.

Credits

Notes
Release:  1984
Format:  LP
Genre:  Soft Rock
Label:  Geffen Records
Catalog#  GEF 26056
Prijs:  €5,99

Vinyl:  VG
Hoes:  VG

Nick Straker Band - A Walk In The Park (1981) - €5,99

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The Nick Straker Band were an English pop music group from London, England, led by musician and vocalist Nick Straker. 

Straker joined his first band, called Stonehenge, in 1969. The band changed its name in 1971 to Matumbi, a reggae band signed to Trojan Records, but Straker left in 1974. 
Along with his friend, guitarist Dave McShera, Straker joined Pete Hammond (bass) and Phil Towner (drums) in a dance band playing working men's clubs and weddings. 
They then met American soul singer Limmie Snell, and the band became Limmie Funk Limited with Andy Gierus on guitar. They played discotheques around the country and toured the Netherlands and Sweden in early 1978.

Tony Mansfield, later the lead singer and songwriter with New Musik, joined, originally as roadie, but eventually he and Straker formed a collaboration that led to the recording of a successful UK single, "A Walk in the Park", in 1979. A year later, the track was re-recorded and released, and made number 20 in the UK Singles Chart.

Their song "A Walk in the Park" peaked at No. 20 on the UK Singles Chart in 1980, having previously been a substantial hit in Continental Europe in 1979. 
Their most successful song in the US, "A Little Bit of Jazz", spent one week at No. 1 on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play Chart in 1981.


Side A
A1. A Walk In The Park - 3:50
A2. Don't Come Back - 3.40
A3. Another Night In Jail - 3:38
A4. Sleeping Alone - 3:42
A5. Leaving On The Midnight Train - 3:17

Side B
B1. A Little Bit Of Jazz - 5:24
B2. The Last Goodbye - 3:12
B3. Come Over - 4:00
B4. Modern Music - 3:44
B5. Magazine - 3:37


Credits

Notes
Release: 1981
Format: LP
Genre:  Dance, Disco
Label:  Killroy Records
Catalog#  KIL 21021 KL
Prijs:  €5,99

Vinyl:  VG
Hoes:  VG

november 27, 2020

Andy Pratt ‎- Shiver In The Night (1977) - €4,99

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Andy Pratt (born January 25, 1947) is an American rock singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. In the 1970s, he made a number of experimental records, of which "Avenging Annie" was a commercial hit.

Shiver In The Night sounds like a stab at a hit record for Andy Pratt. Though Arif Mardin is retained as producer, the sound is not quite as ornate or complex as Resolution. 
On several cuts, including the opening "All I Want Is You," it sounds as if Pratt and/or Mardin are trying to emulate the Bee Gees mid 70's disco sound. (Mardin had produced the Bee Gees' "comeback" album Main Course) Not that it is a bad cut; in fact, it is one of the highlights and hollers "hit single." 
(It has a great hook) The following song, "Rainbow" is also very strong and hints at Pratt's later conversion to Christianity. Elsewhere, there are other songs that are more lyrically in line with the "heaviness" of Resolution. "Mama's Getting Love," is, on the other hand, very erotic and has a very unusual twist on carnality. 
It is not the usual type of song one expects to hear from Andy Pratt. Though the album sounds quite commercial in comparison to his other recordings, and has a dance element that is not representative of most of his work, it is still pretty good. Pratt's vocal style(including a wide use of falsetto) and complex melody lines remain in full force. 
There are several fine guitar solos by Mark Doyle, and the string arrangement on "So Faint" is elaborate and quite stirring. 
The album is certainly not up to the standards of "Resolution," (which would have been nearly impossible) but taken by itself, it is still a good record that showcases Pratt's strengths of melody and craftsmanship. 


Side A
A1. All I Want Is You - 5:15
A2. Rainbow - 3:27
A3. I Want To See You Dance - 4:03
A4. My Love Is So Tender - 2:48
A5. So Faint - 3:15
A6. Keep Your Dream Alive - 3:06

Side B
B1. Landscape - 4:17
B2. What's Important To You - 3:57
B3. Mama's Getting Love - 3:39
B4. Dreams - 3:46
B5. Born To Learn - 3:38


Companies, etc.

Credits

Notes
Release:  1977
Format:  LP
Genre:  Pop, Funk
Label:  Nemperor Records
Catalog#  ATL 50386
Prijs:  €4,99

Vinyl:  G
Hoes:  G

november 23, 2020

Impressions - Loving Power (1976) - €4,99

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The Impressions were an American music group originally formed in 1958. Their repertoire includes doo-wop, gospel, soul, and R&B.

The group was founded as The Roosters by Chattanooga, Tennessee natives Sam Gooden, Richard Brooks and Arthur Brooks, who moved to Chicago and added Jerry Butler and Curtis Mayfield to their line-up to become Jerry Butler & the Impressions. By 1962 Butler and the Brookses had departed, and after switching to ABC-Paramount Records, Mayfield, Gooden, and returning original Impression Fred Cash collectively became a top-selling soul act. Mayfield left the group for a solo career in 1970; Leroy Hutson, Ralph Johnson, Reggie Torian (born Reginald Torian), and Nate Evans (Twinight Records) were among the replacements who joined Gooden and Cash. Inductees into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, the Impressions are best known for their 1960s string of hits, many of which were heavily influenced by gospel music and served as inspirational anthems for the Civil Rights Movement. They are also 1998 Grammy Hall of Fame inductees for their hit "People Get Ready" and winners of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award (in 2000). The group's long career spanned over 60 years at the time of their retirement in 2018.

Singing groups that have made it big rarely survive changes when they lose members,There are a few exceptions and this reincarnation of 'The Impressions" is one of them. With founding members Fred Cash and Sam Golden still holding it down, The new members on this Klassic album " Loving Power", Carry the weight of the past with ease and style.

I love me some harmony in my music and it's here in abundance. 'Loving Power" Showed up on my playlist while looking for something new to listen to back in 1978 even though it was released two years earlier. The title song blew me away just like a great group of singers should and actually reached # 1 on the R&B charts in early 1976. "Sunshine" & " Wish I Stayed In Bed" are two of my favorites songs, Along with some whimsical offerings that fill out the rest of this seven song LP. This group can truly sing and the production is top notch. The killer tune is a remake of " Keep on trying" Sung by original member Fred Cash that transports you back to the " Mayfield" lead "Impressions" with stellar harmonies of the backing vocals.

My Mother with her approach to giving unheard, off the radar music a try, Spoke to me and I purchased this fantastic LP. In the 70's album covers with ladies on the front was big ( Ohio Players) Cornered the market with their risque pictures...lol This cover showed the 'Romantic & Sensual" Side...Beautifully done.

It's time to give " Loving Power" A Classic Rewind Listen" And experience what Soul is all about.


Side A
A1. Loving Power - 3:14  
A2. Sunshine - 6:06  
A3. I Can't Wait To See You - 4:17  
A4. If You Have To Ask - 5:06  

Side B
B1. You Can't Be Wrong (All The Time) - 4:58  
B2. I Wish I'd Stayed In Bed - 4:50  
B3. Keep On Trying - 4:45 


Companies, etc.

Credits

Notes
Release:  1976
Format:  LP
Genre:  Soul
Label:  Curtom Records
Catalog#  CU 5009
Prijs:  €4,99

Vinyl:  G
Hoes:  G

november 19, 2020

Lowell George - Thanks I'll Eat It Here (1979) - €7,99

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Lowell Thomas George (April 13, 1945 – June 29, 1979) was an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer, who was the primary guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter for the rock band Little Feat.

George was also a producer, and produced the Grateful Dead's 1978 album Shakedown Street, as well as Little Feat's records and his own 1979 solo album Thanks, I'll Eat It Here;

Thanks I'll Eat It Here is the only solo album by rock and roll singer-songwriter Lowell George. While George is best known for his work with Little Feat, by 1977 Lowell felt that they were moving increasingly into jazz-rock, a form in which he felt little interest. As a result, he began working on his own album. 
Thanks I'll Eat It Here is an eclectic mix of styles reminiscent of Little Feat's earlier albums – in particular Dixie Chicken, on which the track Two Trains originally appeared. 
The album was released just before the death of Lowell George in 1979 and has cover art by Neon Park (a feature of almost all Little Feat albums) containing several pop-/cult references including a picnic scene, mirroring Édouard Manet's "Le déjeuner sur l'herbe", which shows Bob Dylan, Fidel Castro and Marlene Dietrich as Der Blaue Engel with an open copy of Howl beside them. 

Unusual for a first solo album from a singer-songwriter, of the nine tracks on the original release only four were written by George, and of these three were collaborations. "What Do You Want the Girl to Do", "Easy Money" and "Can't Stand the Rain" were cover versions.

On June 15, 1979, George began a tour in support of his solo album, Thanks I'll Eat it Here. On June 29, the morning after an appearance at Washington, D.C.'s Lisner Auditorium where the bulk of Waiting for Columbus had been recorded in 1977, George collapsed and died of a heart attack in his Arlington, Virginia, hotel room at the Twin Bridges Marriott. His heart attack was caused by an accidental cocaine 
overdose

The cover, painted by Neon Park, is a version of Édouard Manet's famous painting "Le déjeuner sur l'herbe" with Marlene Dietrich, Fidel Castro and Bob Dylan as the diners.


Side A
A1. What Do You Want The Girl To Do - 4:45  
A2. Honest Man - 3:43  
A3. Two Trains - 4:32  
A4. Can't Stand The Rain - 3:21  

Side B
B1. Cheek To Cheek - 2:21  
B2. Easy Money - 3:28  
B3. 20 Million Things - 2:46  
B4. Find A River - 3:42  
B5. Himmler's Ring - 2:25 


Personnel

Although they do not play together on any single track, Richie Hayward and Bill Payne, both members of Little Feat, play on the album. George was also able to call on the services of top-class session players and backing vocalists.


Additional Personnel
  • Brad Kanawyer, Michael Hollyfield – design
  • Neon Park – cover art
  • Elizabeth George, Bob Marks, Nancy Goldfarb – photography
  • Donn Landee, George Massenburg – engineering
  • Billy Youdelman, Bruce Botnick, Doug Botnick – assistant engineering
  • Richard Hayward, Lee Herschberg – digital mastering

Notes
Release:  1979
Format:  LP
Genre:  Roots Rock
Label:  Warner Bros. Records
Catalog#  WB 56 487
Prijs:  €7,99

Vinyl:  VG
Hoes:  G

november 17, 2020

Soundtrack - Against All Odds (1984) - €4,99

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Against All Odds: Music from the Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the soundtrack for the 1984 film Against All Odds.

The album includes the original score by Larry Carlton, as well as several tracks by artists popular at the time of the film's release. Best known of the tracks is "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)", a Phil Collins single which topped the Billboard Hot 100 song chart and became Collins's first American number one song. It gave him a Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male and another nomination for Song of the Year. The song received an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song as well as a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Original Song.Other prior and current members of Genesis, guitarist Mike Rutherford and former lead vocalist Peter Gabriel, also contribute tracks. 

While the soundtrack to the 1984 Out of the Past remake Against All Odds is now best remembered for Phil Collins' classic theme song for the movie, the album also features several other memorable songs, as well as excerpts from Larry Carlton's synthesizer-heavy score. "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now") remains not only one of Collins' definitive singles, but one of the 1980s' best love songs, a perfect mix of over-the-top drama and genuine emotion that has aged better than anyone might have expected in 1984. 
The rest of the album, meanwhile, sounds completely of its time, but that's a big part of its appeal; songs such as Stevie Nicks' brooding "Violet and Blue," Mike Rutherford's "Making a Big Mistake," and Big Country's surprisingly dour "Balcony" make the soundtrack a veritable time capsule of mid-'80s mainstream pop. 
"Walk Through the Fire" may not be one of Peter Gabriel's strongest or most memorable tracks, but it's still a decent example of his ability to mix the experimental with the accessible. Kid Creole & the Coconuts' "My Male Curiosity" sounds just as fey and wolfish, and as playful and stylish, as ever. Carlton's synth-and-guitar-driven score tends toward the melodramatic, particularly on tracks like "Search," "Solitario," and the unintentionally hilarious "Rock and Roll Jaguar," but they're all a part of the fun. While it's not an especially great soundtrack, Against All Odds is still an entertaining '80s artifact. 



Side A
A1. Phil Collins - Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now) - 3:23  
A2. Stevie Nicks - Violet And Blue - 5:03  
A3. Peter Gabriel - Walk Through The Fire - 3:59  
A4. Big Country - Balcony - 3:56  
A5. Mike Rutherford - Making A Big Mistake - 3:45  
A6. Kid Creole And The Coconuts - My Male Curiosity - 4:39  

Side B
B1. Larry Carlton And Michel Colombier - The Search (Main Title Theme From Against All Odds) - 3:33 
B2. Larry Carlton And Michel Colombier - El Solitario - 2:35  
B3. Larry Carlton And Michel Colombier - Rock And Roll Jaguar - 2:17  
B4. Larry Carlton - For Love Alone - 3:00  
B5. Larry Carlton - The Race - 2:36  
B6. Larry Carlton And Michel Colombier - Murder Of A Friend - 6:11  


Companies, etc.
Credits
Notes
Release:  1984
Format:  LP
Genre:  Pop, Soundtrack
Label:  Atlantic Records
Catalog#  80152-1-E

Vinyl:  VG
Hoes:  VG

Biddu Orchestra - Rain Forest (1976) - €4,99

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Biddu Appaiah (born 1944) is an Indian-born, UK-based singer-songwriter, composer, and music producer – who composed and produced many worldwide hit records during a career spanning five decades. 
Considered one of the pioneers of disco, Euro disco, and Indian pop, he has sold millions of records worldwide, and has received an Ivor Novello award for his work. 
He has been ranked at number 34 on NME 's "The 50 Greatest Producers Ever" list.

His international breakthrough came in 1974 with "Kung Fu Fighting" performed by Carl Douglas; the song became one of the best-selling singles of all time with eleven million records sold, helped popularise disco music, was the first worldwide disco hit from Britain and Europe, and established Biddu as one of the most prolific dance music producers from outside the United States at the time.
He also launched the careers of other British disco stars such as Tina Charles, and Jimmy James.

He soon began producing his own instrumental albums under the name Biddu Orchestra, which started an orchestral disco trend in Britain and Europe with 1975 hits "Summer of '42" and "Blue Eyed Soul"; his solo albums eventually sold 40 million copies worldwide. 

In 1976, Biddu produced his own Rain Forest LP. Combining swishy disco instrumentals with the composer's own Eastern influences, the album proved to be another foray into danceable pop as the title track comes on strong, leaving the rest of the set to unfurl like so many leaves. 
And it did indeed score Biddu his second U.K. hit single -- just inching into the Top 40 in April, with the catchy "Chic-Chica-Chic-Chica-Chic" hovering just behind. With the quiet "Laura," "Wings of Love," and "Trippin' on a Soul Cloud" rounding things out, alongside his cover of the My Fair Lady staple "I Could Have Danced All Night," Biddu may not have recaptured his "Summer of '42" glory, but he surely sounded like he had fun trying. 
Although the composer's style can be hard to handle, and while his songs sometimes stumble, his ideas sowed the seeds that grew into the (much) later trend of Indian influenced dance music. 
Easier on the palate for fans than for band-wagoneering aficionados, Rain Forest nevertheless takes its rightful place in the often eccentric British disco scene. 


Side A
A1. Rain Forest - 4:40  
A2. Chic-Chica-Chic-Chica-Chic - 3:05  
A3. Jump For Joy - 3:11  
A4. Laura - 4:45  
A5. Soft And Sexy - 3:50  

Side B
B1. I Could Have Danced All Night - 3:40  
B2. Trippin On A Soul Clou - 4:00  
B3. Wings Of Love (Aria) - 4:26  
B4. Rock Me With Your Love - 3:48  


Companies, etc.

Credits

Notes
Release:  1976
Format:  LP
Genre:  Disco
Label:  Epic Records
Catalog#  EPC 81168
Prijs:  €4,99

Vinyl:  VG
Cover:  G

november 16, 2020

Creative Source - Consider The Source (1976) - €7,99

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Creative Source was an American R&B group from Los Angeles, who had several funk and disco hits during the 1970s. 

The Los Angeles-based quintet Creative Source seemingly appeared out of nowhere in the early '70s to score with a funky disco rendition of Bill Withers' "Who Is He (And What Is He to You)." The group, comprised of Barbara Berryman, Barbara Lewis, Don Wyatt, Steve Ranagan, and Celeste Rose, was managed by Fifth Dimensions' Ron Townsend and two of the members were seasoned vets. Lewis sang with the Los Angeles Elgins on their Lummtone recordings, while Wyatt performed with a pair of late-'50s groups (the Fortunes and the Colts) and also sang in Nat "King" Cole's background group for a spell.

Mike Stokes produced their first and most successful album, 1974's Creative Source, released on Sussex Records (also Withers' label at the time). The Migration album followed later in 1974, but failed to spawn anything major despite Skip Scarborough's exquisite vocal arrangements. Creative Source's other significant singles were "You Can't Hide Love" (the Earth, Wind & Fire ditty), "You're Too Good to Be True," and "I Just Can't See Myself Without You."

Wrongly labeled by many as strictly disco and funk, Creative Source could mellow out with the best of them, such as Withers' "Let Me in Your Life," a floating beauty, and "You're Too Good to Be True," where the male lead sounds like a cross between Tyrone Davis and Jerry Butler. Polydor issued their final two albums (Pass the Feelin' On and Consider the Source), which were as compelling as the Sussex productions, but a lack of promotion and public indifference caused them both to fizzle. With little backing and no label after Polydor, Creative Source drifted back into basic Southern California nine-to-five living.

Four albums were issued by the band in three years, but their later singles were less successful, and by 1977, after having lost their recording contract, the group disbanded.


Side A
A1. Under Your Spell - 3:34  
A2. There's No Subtitute - 3:53  
A3. Good Lovin' Is Good Livin' - 5:40  
A4. Singin' Funky Music Turns Me On - 4:54  

Side B
B1. Troubled Lady - 4:48  
B2. I'd Find You Anywhere - 3:19  
B3. I Never Thought It Would Come To This - 4:14  
B4. Magic - 3:22  


Credits

Notes
Release:  1976
Format:  LP
Genre:  Soul
Label:  Polydor Records
Catalog#  2391 221
Prijs:  €7,99

Vinyl:  VG
Cover:  VG

november 15, 2020

Gino Vannelli - The Gist Of The Gemini (1976) - €10,00

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The Gist of the Gemini is the fourth studio album of Italian-Canadian singer Gino Vannelli. The album was released in 1976 and was produced by Gino and his brother Joe Vannelli, together with Geoff Emerick. 

Romantic progressive pop with layered piano and synthesizer atop outrageously pretentious lyrics about love and war. 
Those who can get past lines like "A post-war eunuch/A lover that is lame" will find some relaxed, smoky melodies here, especially the closer "Summers of My Life." "Fly into This Night" was a minor FM hit that lands a hefty keyboard punch courtesy of his brother, Joe Vannelli. Instrumentally, this is perhaps Vannelli's best effort. 
The lyrics are quite amusing, though that might not have been his intention. 

Gino Vanelli may well be a crooner singer these days, entertaining middle aged housewives and filling dancing halls; it’s a style usually associated with cheesy orchestral backdrops or ear-catching arrangements of dubious taste; there’s none of that in here, and although I do not consider “The Gist of the Gemini” as groundbreaking and eye-opening as when I first heard it back in 1977, it lost none of its appeal and still occupies a special place in my heart and preferences.

Front mixed so that his astonishing vocal capacities may be objectively judged, Gino’s unique voice is not the only ingredient marking this work, since plenty of space is left for instrumental parts; in fact, this may be a feast for keyboard lovers as it is dominated by expertly performed ( by Joe Vanelli and Richard Baker who also happen to be the arrangers) synthesisers , clavinets, and electric and acoustic pianos; another main ingredient  is Graham Lear’s powerful and inventive drumming ( was it thanks to this that he got the job to fill in Michael Shrive’s shoes in the Santana band that same year?) ; further instrumental appetizers are guaranteed via a couple of scorching guitar solos by famous studio guitarist Jay Graydon, and the enriching percussive support of John Mandel and Dido by means of timpani and assorted percussions or congas, cuíca and timbales respectively.

In spite of a majority of strong cuts on Side 1 it’s the ambitious side-long tour-de-force and multi-parted Epic “War Suite” that makes the album special: a really symphonic prog track dealing with war related topics, like reflections on the ideology behind it, or its traumatic consequences for those who return physically crippled , underscored by instrumental prowess’s and a class on its own, many great pursuers of the genre would have been proud to have came up with, it’s both very pleasing and memorable indeed.

Unfortunately Vanelli was starting to enjoy the appeal of masses-adulation, and me being a tad prickly about certain details had a hard time digesting some irritating vocal “aah-aahs”, some disgusting high pitched falsettos (“Fly into the Night”) or a certain plaintiveness that surfaced once in a while; I haven’t investigated thoroughly but my guess is it only got worse in the future; however that could by no means tarnish the varnish the Vanelli Brothers were still able to coat “Gist of the Gemini” with.


Side A 
A1. Love Of My Life - 4:30  
A2. Ugly Man - 3:54  
A3. A New Fix For '76 - 3:32  
A4. Omens Of Love - 4:31  
A5. Fly Into This Night - 3:27  

Side B
       War Suite  
B1. Prelude To The War - 4:32  
B2. The Battle Cry - 1:52  
B3. To The War - 4:34  
B4. Carnal Question - 2:36  
B5. After The Last Battle - 2:04  
B6. To The War (Reflection) - 2:02  
B7. Summers Of My Life - 4:28  


Personnel

Production
  • Producers – Gino Vannelli, Joe Vannelli and Geoff Emerick.
  • Engineer – Geoff Emerick
  • Assistant Engineers – Jon Kelly and Steve Prestage
  • Remixed by Norm Kinney at Sound Labs (Hollywood, CA).
  • Mastered by Bernie Grundman at A&M Studios (Hollywood, CA).
  • Art Direction and Design – Fabio Nicola
  • Photography – Clive Arrowsmith and Gered Mankowitz

Notes
Release:  1976
Format:  LP (Gatefold)
Genre:  Jazz Fusion
Label:  A&M Records
Catalog#  27 760 XOT
Prijs:  €10,00

Vinyl:  VG
Cover:  VG

november 14, 2020

Jigsaw - Sky High (1975) - €2,99

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Jigsaw was an English pop music group, fronted by the singer-songwriter duo of Clive Scott and Des Dyer. In Australia, the group was called "British Jigsaw" due to the existence of a local band of the same name.

Formed as a six-piece band of musicians in Coventry and Rugby by Tony Campbell in April 1966, they scored a number of hit singles around the world, and released thirteen albums. 
The group was partly influenced by fellow British musicians the Beatles, at times sounding Beatlesesque, especially their ballads, which show leanings towards Paul McCartney's musical and vocal arrangements. 

After dropping their recording label, BASF in 1975. Wanting to carry on, the group continued to make music and signed a new deal with independent UK label Splash, which was founded by Chas Peate himself. 
Their first single for their new label, titled "Sky High", was recorded for the film The Man from Hong Kong, a 1975 martial-arts action movie starring George Lazenby. Splash pressed a couple of hundred promotional copies and reaction to the song was good, especially from Radio Luxembourg which began playing the song with high rotation during its nightly English pop music broadcasts to the UK. "Sky High" subsequently made the UK Top 10 in November 1975. 
The recording was licensed to Chelsea Records in the United States where it reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and to No. 2 Adult Contemporary. The song was also No. 1 in Japan. A famous Mexican wrestler, Mil Máscaras, used "Sky High" as his theme tune. He would walk to the ring with the song playing in the background, and his popularity in Japan helped "Sky High" to become a hit twice over in that country in consecutive years.
The Sky High album also sold well too, especially in Japan. The next single "Love Fire" was another hit, although not in the United Kingdom. Nevertheless, "Love Fire" was followed by two new albums, one for the British market called Pieces of Magic and another for the American market simply named, Jigsaw.


Side A
A1. Sky High - 2:46  
A2. While You Wait - 2:20  
A3. Lost And Found - 2:40  
A4. Stop The Show - 2:46  
A5. I Thank You - 2:51  
A6. Tell Me Why - 3:30  

Side B
B1. Back Again - 3:56  
B2. Call Collect - 2:48  
B3. In Between The Loving - 3:02  
B4. Mystic Harmony - 2:50  
B5. Baby Don't Do It - 2:57  
B6. One Step Too Far - 3:10 


Companies, etc. 
Recorded At – Majestic Studios 
Published By – Belsize Music Inc. 


Credits 
Arranged By – Richard Hewson 
Cover, Design, Illustration – Results 
Engineer – Roger Wilkinson 
Executive Producer – Chas Peate 
Producer – Scott, Dyer 
Written-By – Clive Scott, Des Dyer 


Notes
Release:  1975
Format:  LP
Genre:  Pop
Label:  Splash Records
Catalog#  SPLASH 17-29264-6
Prijs:  €2,99

Vinyl:  G
Cover:  G

november 12, 2020

Donny Gerrard - Donny Gerrard (1976) - €4,99

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Donny Gerrard is a Canadian singer. He was a former member of the band Skylark in the early 1970s, and more recently has performed and recorded as a baritone backup singer for Mavis Staples. 

Smooth soul singer Donny Gerrard started his career as the lead singer of the Vancouver-based pop group Skylark, who recorded two albums and had a Top Ten hit with "Wildflower" in 1973 (they also launched the career of pop producer extraordinaire David Foster). 
After the group broke up, Gerrard embarked on a solo career, issuing his debut single "(Baby) Don't Let It Mess Your Mind" on Elton John's Rocket label in 1975. 
He subsequently signed with the Los Angeles-based Greedy label, where he issued his self-titled debut album in 1976. A mix of sweet, romantic ballads, disco, and jazzy flourishes, the album spawned several singles, including the 12" "Greedy (For Your Love)" (now a collector's item), "Stay Awhile With Me," "He's Always Somewhere Around," and "Words." 
After one further single in 1977, Gerrard made a steady living as a backing vocalist for recording sessions and tours; in this capacity, he worked with some of the biggest names in popular music, including Elton John, Ray Charles, Bette Midler, Bruce Springsteen, Aaron Neville, Neil Diamond, Bob Seger, Donna Summer, Cher, Dolly Parton, Bobby Womack, and a solo John Fogerty, among many others

Smooth sensuality delivered by Donny Gerrard's delicious light tenor on his solo debut. The jazzy tracks are courtesy of some of L.A.'s best session men, Wilton Felder, Jay Graydon, and a host of other sharp studio players. 
Gerrard caresses "Stay Awhile," a Van McCoy/Joe Cobb composition, drives the message home on Lennon and McCartney's "Long and Winding Road," and gets funky (for Donny) on Curtis Mayfield's infectious, pleading "You Must Believe in Me." Nine romantic offerings by the underrated balladeer who tantalized the world with "Wildflower" as a member of the British Columbia group Skylark. 


Side A
A1. He's Always Somewhere Around - 3:14  
A2. Stay Awhile With Me - 4:28  
A3. Words (Are Impossible) - 3:09  
A4. Stand Up (And Show Your Love) - 3:13  
A5. The Long And Winding Road - 3:13  

Side B
B1. Greedy For Your Love - 3:18  
B2. Peace For Us All - 2:45  
B3. You Must Believe Me - 3:15  
B4. As Far As We Can Go - 3:55 


Credits

Notes
Release:  1976
Format:  LP
Genre:  Soul
Label:  Greedy Records Ltd.
Catalog#  G-1002
Prijs:  €4,99

Vinyl:   VG
Cover:  G