Adult Contemporary Music in Japan

NEW RELEASES

DAVID LASLEY / BACK TO BLUE-EYED SOUL - collectable works 1966-1999 -	<ACM Rating: >
David Lasley's collection CD "Back to Blue-Eyed Soul" is now available. The CD features rare recordings dating back to 1966, many of which are being made available for the first time, several newly released recordings, songs from two of Lasley's early groups, "The Utopias" and "Rosie", out-of-print solo singles, movie themes and radio jingles. Soulful and melodic, the tracks range in style from pop to jazz to R&B. Thus, you can fully enjoy David Lasley awesome musical talents as a singer/songwriter this summer by listening to his related albums released / reissued on CDs such as David's solo works "Missin’ Twenty Grand" (1982), "Raindance" (1984) and "Soldiers on the Moon" (1989) and further "Better Late than Never" (1976) with a group called Rosie. "Back to Blue-Eyed Soul" contains 21 tracks, including the 45 versions of "It's A Crying Shame" (from Raindance) also offering other works never heard before such as "Earth Children/Life Goes On", an out-take from "Missin' Twenty Grand" and more shown as below.
Label : ZACODA, USA <Serial #: N/A> Release Date: October, 2000 Short comments: Track 1: from the album "Expectations Of Love" (2000) Track 2, 9: David's first pro career group with his sister Julie "The Utopias" unreleased works recorded in 1967 Track 3: from the album "Missin' Twenty Grand" (1982) Track 4: "The Utopias" 3rd single (1967) Track 5: Totally different Rough Mix Version featuring Brenda Russell, Luther Vandross, Lynn Pitney on background vocals the completed version in on the album "Missin' Twenty Grand" (1982). Track 6: The 45 rpm single version from the album "Raindance" (1984) Track 7: The shortened single version from Rosie's album "Better Late Than Never" (1976) Track 8: An outtake from the album "Missin' Twenty Grand" (1982) Track 10: Unreleased version intended for the movie soundtrack of "The Outsiders", on which Stevie Wonder's version was featured as the theme of the film. Track11: Demo version recorded in 1985, written with Randy Goodrum. Angela Bofill's version was Top 20 R&B hit. Track 12: Unreleased material written and recorded in 1986 featuring David Benoit Track 13: Demo version recorded with David Benoit, written by Danny Kootch and originally recorded by The Attitudes on their album "Dark Horse". Track 14: Radio Jingles Track 15: Goffin-King song released as an early disco record in 1973 Track 16: from the album "Soldiers On The Moon" (1989) Track 17: Demo version programming Jay Oliver Track 18: Rough Cassette Mix recorded in 1978 Track 19: from the movie soundtrack album "Body Rock", written by Bruce Roberts and Andy Goldmark Track 20: from the musical movie soundtrack album "Hair", recorded in 1977. Track 21: David's earliest personal recording material when he was 16 years old. Official Website: http://www.davidlasley.com
	Tracks: What's It Gonna Take? Look At The Clock If I Had My Wish Tonight Girls Are Against Me Roommate It's A Cryin' Shame Roll Me Through The Rushes Earth Children / Life Goes On Back In The Woods Stay Gold Tell Me Tomorrow On A Circus Ride Promise Me The Moon Aunt Jemima Pancakes / Seagram's Wine Cooler Radio Jingles One Fine Day It's Too Late Change All Of That Hot Butterfly Teamwork What A Piece Of Work Is Man? Tell Her She's The One
International Order Melody Blvd. Melody Blvd. Website will be active the week of October 23rd.

JONATHAN BUTLER / THE SOURCE	<ACM Rating: >
Jonathan Butler, coming from South Africa, is a successful R&B / Fusion performer with a slight jazzy touch. He emerged as a successor of George Benson with his first instrumental guitar-oriented album "Introducing Jonathan Butler" in 1986. According to the liner notes on this album written by Bill Milkowski, the links to such guitar heroes as George Benson and Wes Montgomery are unmistakable. Then Jonathan proved his talent as a vocalist by his self-titled marvelous 2nd album (double vinyl album or 1 CD) "Jonathan Butler" in 1987. He constantly released albums in 80's... "More Than Friends" (1988), "Deliverance" (1990), "Heal Our Land" (1990). It took almost 4 years to release "Head To Head" (1994) under Mercury Records. Jonathan moved to the United States from UK when he made a deal with N2K Encoded Music and released "Do You Love Me?" in 1997. And followed by the album "Story Of Life" (1999). And this is the new album of Jonathan Butler....
Label : N-Coded Music, distributed by Warlock Records, USA (NC-4213-2) Release Date: October 10, 2000 Producer: himself Musicians: Keyboards: Kenneth Crouch Drums: Derrick "D*Lock" Walker Booker T., III: Drum Programming Percussion: Munyugo Jackson Sax: Jim Reid Background Vocals: Randy Butler, Sherree Ford-Payne, Marva King, Earl Buffington, Trina Broussard, Sherrie Rhynea, Rahsaan Patterson, Niomisha Wilson Official Website: http://www.jonathanbutler.com
International Order	Tracks: Anniversary Forever Tonight Another Way I Believe Lake Vibes Love Doesn't Matter Now Thinkin' 'Bout You Shine A Light I Found Myself In You You Make Me Whole Won't Stop For Nothing The Spirit The Source The Annointed

BOB & PAULINE WILSON / SOMEBODY LOVES YOU	<ACM Rating: >
Bob Wilson and Pauline Wilson, the core member of "Seawind" released their own album after releasing Seawind 4th album "Seawind" in 1980, which became the last album of the group. Therefore, many of us misunderstood that this Bob & Pauline Wilson's album was done after Seawind disbanded. You should note that Seawind started to record their uncompleted 5th album in 1981 after release of this Bob & Pauline Wilson's album. You can confirm that Seawind really did recording by listening to 5 materials from the uncompleted 5th album later included on the compilation album "Remember" released under Noteworthy in 1995. You can easily found that this Bob & Pauline Wilson album would be CCM one by seeing the original label name, i.e. "Myrth". All the Seawind members including Jerry Hey participated in the recording of this Wilsons' album and thus the sound and music style of this album should be Seawind-like. And you may feel the musical roots of Bob Wilson's project with Tommy Funderburk "The Front" (1984) when you listen to the straight rock tune "You Can't Hide".
Label : Cool Sound Inc., Japan (C00L-058) (Original Label: Myrth Records, USA) Release Date: October 10, 2000 (Original Release: 1981) Producer: Bob Wilson Pauline Wilson: All Lead Vocals & Background Vocals Bob Wilson : Drums,Keyboards, Percussion, Background Vocals Additional Musicians: Guitars: Bud Nuanez, Kevin Clark Bass: Kevin Clark, Ken Wild Keyboards: Larry Williams Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa Sax, Flute: Larry Williams, Kim Hutchcroft Trumpet Flugel Horn: Jerry Hey Trombone: Bill Reichenbach Background Vocals: Kevin Clark, Mark Vieha, Edie Lehman, John Bahler
International Order Cruisin' Music at GEMM	Tracks: I'll Keep My Eyes On Jesus With Love In Your Eyes Joyful Melody Vision: Power And Glory You Can't Hide Somebody Loves You Lullabye Of Love In The Spirit Jesus Is My Lord

MISSING PIECE

HOWARD SMITH / SEASONS CHANGE	<ACM Rating: >
Howard Smith, the veteran CCM session vocalist, is known for his own solo album "Totally Committed" released in 1985 under Light Records. "Totally Committed" is one of the fine mid 80's BCM albums, which was produced by Bill Maxwell, known as the drummer of Koinonia, and featuring many familiar musicians alike Michael Ruff, Dean Parks and James Harrah. Otherwise, many of you might have a chance to listen his satiny voice on Gospel Great Andrae' Crouch's albums "Don't Give Up"(1981) or "No Time To Lose" (1985) . Howard also leads on "As Far As The Eye Can See" on the top NAC pianist Keiko Matsui's album "Under Northern Lights" (MCA Records USA, 1989). Howard has continued session works as a background vocalist. And now in 2000, I have just found that Howard did release this album "Seasons Change" under his own label. The cutting tune "What Did You Do With Jesus" is a killer ballads song. This is a hidden treasure album, which must satisfy all of Adult Contemporary/Black Contemporary lovers.
Label :Ears 2 Hear Music, USA (E2H17011-1) Release Year: 1998 Producers: Andrae Fisher and Scott V. Smith Musicians: Guitars: Paul Jackson Jr. Keyboards: Michael Ruff, Larry Steelman, Bill Cantos Bass: John Pina, Andrew Gouche Drums: Harvey Mason Percussion: Alberto Salas Sax: Gerald Albright Horns: SVS Horn Section Background Vocals: Maxi Anderson, Alfie Durio, Yvonne Williams, Howard McCrary Official Website: http://www.howardsmithgospel.com
International Order EARS 2HEAR M U S I C	Tracks: What Did You Do With Jesus Turn It Around Season's Change Don't Ever Be Afraid Set Free Encouraged Not Now Praying For You Where Will Our Children Play Master's Plan

Many visitors asks me where these recommended CDs can be bought via internet. So, I would give you the the several retailers links from this page also as bellow. A.O.R. Specialized CD/LP Mailorder Retailers Page