Adult Contemporary Music in Japan

Monthly Recommended Discs Page

Many Adult Contemporary Music CD are releasing every month. SO, I would hereby show you Adult Contemporary Music CD New Release ( also including Reissue) information. As "Recommended Discs of The Month" , I would highly recommend to buy several albums with my personal review. In Addition, I would also give you release information regarding other remarkable recent titles supported by one of the well-known on-line music store "Music Boulevard" as "Noteworthy Discs of The Month" .

• Recommended Discs of This Month (Back to latest monthly recommendation)

   

   

• Recommended Discs of October, 1998

   

  • New Releases 
    1. Bobby Caldwell / Timeline
    2. Jeff Lorber / Midnight
  • Reissues
    1. Maxus / Maxus
    2. Larry John McNally / Fade To Black
    3. Frank & The Knockouts / Below The Belt
  • Missing Pieces
    1. Kevin McCourt / Colour Of The Truth

• BOBBY CALDWELL / TIMELINE

  Bobby Caldwell, who is said to be one of the king of A.O.R., has just released his anthology album titled "Timeline". On this anthology album, 20th anniversary version of "What You Won't Do For Love" and new song "Good To Me" are included. According to the unconfirmed information, Japanese version is released with alternative tracklisting in October 1998 (Please see "Monthly Recommended Discs" November 1998 issue.

   

 

• Label : Sin-Drome, USA (Sin-Drome 8930)
• Release Date: September 29, 1998
• Tracks:
  1. My Flame
  2. Coming Down From Love
  3. Loving You
  4. Jamaica
  5. Real Thing
  6. Even Now
  7. Don't Lead Me On
  8. Show Me Your Devotion (Duet with Marilyn Scott)
  9. Once Upon A Time
  10. I Give In
  11. Don't Ask My Neighbor
  12. Let It Be Me
  13. Baby, It's Cold Outside (Duet with Vanessa Williams)
  14. Tell It Like It Is (Duet with Michael Lington)
  15. Good To Me
  16. What You Won't Do For Love (New 20th Anniversary Version)
• International Order Information

• JEFF LORBER / MIDNIGHT

  Jeff Lorber, one of genius sound creators, who is known for his own excellent solo works as well as his producing works has just released the brand-new album titled "Midnight" under the affilated label of Japanese record company named AVEX Tracks. His recent works released under Verve label were typical smooth-jazz type albums, however on this album you can find that Jeff enjoys a kind of empty space of sounds. I mean yoy may feel Jeff has changed his style from flood of keyboard sounds into sipmle but comfortable one. The cover version of the Beatles song "Dear Prudence" may be remarkable for listeners. Enjoy the new Jeff Lorber's musical world.

   

 

• Label : AV Experience America, Inc. (Avex Ideak CTCR-19002)
• Release Date: September 23, 1998
• Producer: Himself
• Musicians:
  • Guitars: Michael Landau, Buzz Feiten
  • Keyboards: Urs Weisendanger
  • Bass: Nathaniel Phillips
  • Drums: John Robinson
  • Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
  • Flute: Gary Meek
  • Vocals: Robin Dixon, Chelsea
• Tracks:
  1. Midnight
  2. The Simple Life
  3. Down Low
  4. I Ain't Thinkin' About You
  5. Watching The Sun Set
  6. Dear Prudence
  7. The Wild East
  8. Never
  9. Perugia
  10. Feelin' It
  11. City Girl (Bonus Track for Japanese Version)
  12. Ride (Bonus Track for Japanese Version)
  13. Never Gonna Miss You (Bonus Track for Japanese Version)
• International Order Information

• MAXUS / MAXUS

  Maxus is one of the legendary AOR groups in early 80's. Their sound style was compared with that of TOTO's. Michael Landau, the best guitarist as Steve Lukather in the early 80's westcoast music session scene, Robbie Buchanan, very popular session keyboard player in those days and Jay Gruska as the lead vocalist had formed this group. You can listen to Jay Gruska's high tone vocal and amazing guitar play of Michael Landau's and perfect combination of the other band members on this album.

   

 

• Label: Warner Japan (WPCR-2153) (Originally released by Warner Bros)
• Release Date: September 25, 1998 (Original Release Year 1981)
• Producer: Michael Omartian
• Maxus:
  • Lead Vocals and Pianos: Jay Gruska
  • Pianos, Synthesizers and Vocals: Robbie Buchanan
  • Bass and Vocals: Mark Leonard
  • Drums and Vocals: Doane Perry
  • Guitars: Michael Landau
• Additional Musicians:
  • Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa
  • Synthesizers and Percussion: Michael Omartian
  • Background Vocals: Bill Champlin, Tommy Funderburk, Jennifer Williams
• Tracks:
  1. The Higher You Rise
  2. Nobody's Business
  3. What You Give
  4. Keep A Light On
  5. Your Imagination
  6. They Danced
  7. Part Of You
  8. Don't Try To Stop Me Now
  9. Where Were You

• LARRY JOHN McNALLY / FADE TO BLACK

  Larry John McNally wrote 2 songs ("A Man In A Man's World" and "Sleep On It") for Chaka Kahn's solo debut album in 1978. Larry signed with ARC Records in 1979 and released his solo debut album titled "Larry John McNally" in 1981.This is his 2nd album "Fade To Black" which was released under ATCO Records and produced by Gary Katz and himself. This album includes "Motown Song" which was well-known for the version performed by Rod Stewart. Among his albums including his 90's works such as "Vibroux", this album should be most stylish one and has Westcoast sounds atmosphere. In this meaning, this might be the best of Larry John McNally albums for Westcoast music lovers.

   

• Label : East West Japan (AMCY-2861) <originally released by ATC Records 7 90524-1>
• Release Date: September 25, 1998 (Original Release Year: 1986)
• Producers: Gary Katz, Richard Feldman and himself
• Musicians:
  • Drums: Armand Grimaldi, Andre Fisher, Bovvy Economo, Richard Feldman
  • Bass: Jimmy Haslip, Reggie Mcbride, Mark Brown, Richard Feldman
  • Fretless Bass: David Schwartz
  • Guitars: James Harrah, Buzzy Feiton, Charles Fearing, Dun Huff
  • Keyboards: Aaron Zigman, Rick Kelly, Joe Vitarelli, Micahel Ruff, Mark Morgan, Mitchell Froom
  • Harmonica: Tollak Olstead
  • Percussion: Mark Fisher
  • Background Vocals: Jude Johnstone, Leslie Smith
• Tracks:
  1. My Obsession
  2. James Dean
  3. The Motown Song
  4. Switchblade
  5. Long Drag Off Cigarette
  6. Chinatown
  7. The Beat Generation
  8. In My Indiscretion
  9. Tar On The Roof

   

• FRANKE & THE KNOCKOUTS / BELOW THE BELT

   Franke & The Knockouts had released 2 albums under Millennium Entertainment (distributed by RCA) and an album under MCA. They played good 80's american rock which were strongly influenced by TOTO. Under Escape Music UK, thier 3rd album "Makin' The Point" has been already reissued on CD ealry in 1998. And now their 2nd album "Below The Belt" is now reisssued on CD!

   

• Label: Escape Music, UK (Original Label: Millennium Records, USA BXLI-7763)
• Release Date: September, 1998 (Original Release Year: 1982)
• Producers: Peter Solley & Themselves
• Frank & The Knockouts:
  • Lead Vocals: Franke Previte
  • Guitar: Billy Elworthy
  • Piano, Organ: Blake Levinsohn
  • Piano, Synth, Organ: Tommy Ayers
  • Bass: Leigh Foxx
• Guest Musicians:
  • Drums: Al Wotton
  • Guitars: Ricky Hitchcock
  • Percussion: Richie Puente
• Tracks:
  1. Never Had It Better
  2. Without You (Not Another Lonely Night)
  3. Just What I Want
  4. Any Way That You Want Me
  5. Morning Sun (Dream On)
  6. Shakedown
  7. Keep On Fighting
  8. Have No Fear
  9. Gina
  10. Every Little Bit Helps (Bonus Track)

• KEVIN McCOURT / COLOR OF THE TRUTH

Who is Kevin McCourt? This is my first reaction to hear his name from my friends. To be honest, I have not been aware that he made many composition with Bill Meyers on his 2nd solo album "The Color Of The Truth". After listening to this Kevin McCourt's solo album released in 1997, I should give you full information in respect of the album. Kevin's melodies are the real Westcoast music and his vocal is awesome! I can give you full guarantee of the quality of this album. This album is one of the best album in late 90's. BUY IT NOW without hesitation!!

 

• Label : MPWest
• Release Year: 1997
• Producer: Rob Arbitier, Bill Mayers and himself
• Musicians:
  • Drums: Gerry Brown, Randy Drake
  • Guitars: Duane Harlick, Tom Kolb, Mike Landau, Chris Fields
  • Bass: Tom Lilly, Nathan Watts
  • Keyboards: Rob Arbitier, Bill Mayers
  • Horns: Brandon Fields, Dan Fornerd, Nick Lane
  • Backing Vocals: Marva Hicks, Susan McCourt, Duane Harlick, Phil Perry, Sheldon Reynolds, Lil Perry, Sally Dworsky, Alfie Silas
• Tracks:
  1. Burning Alive
  2. Color Of The Truth
  3. Take The Time
  4. Waiting Here For You
  5. Only A Thought Away
  6. Here And Now (Wisdom From Captain Jack)
  7. What You Give Away
  8. Shed My Skin
  9. Life In Black And White
  10. Life's Too Short
  11. What We Learn From Love
  12. Wherever Your Life Leads
  13. Better Way
  14. What's Done Is Done

 Waiting for your Email to: takeito@cap.bekkoame.ne.jp

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