Adult Contemporary Music in Japan

Past Recommended Discs of The Month

February, 1996	March, 1996	April, 1996	May, 1996	June, 1996	July, 1996
August, 1996	September, 1996	October, 1996	November, 1996	December, 1996	January, 1997
February, 1997	March, 1997	April, 1997	May, 1997	June, 1997	July, 1997
August, 1997	September, 1997	October, 1997	November, 1997	December, 1997	January, 1998
February, 1998	March, 1998	April, 1998	May, 1998	June, 1998	July, 1998
August, 1998	September, 1998	October, 1998	November, 1998	December, 1998	January, 1999
February, 1999	March, 1999	April, 1999	May, 1999	June, 1999	July, 1999
August, 1999	September, 1999	October, 1999	November, 1999	December, 1999	Jan/Feb, 2000
March, 2000	April, 2000	May, 2000	June, 2000	July, 2000	August, 2000
September, 2000	October, 2000	November, 2000	December, 2000	January, 2001	February, 2001
Apr/May, 2001	May/June, 2001	July/August, 2001	September, 2001

 

NEW RELEASES

CAROLE KING / LOVE MAKES THE WORLD	<ACM Rating: >
It was 1971 when Carole King released timeless masterpiece album "Tapestry" , which stayed on the charts for over 6 years. After 1983's album "Speeding Time", Carole took a six-year hiatus from recording before releasing "City Streets" featured Eric Clapton. In 1993, she released the album "Colour of Your Dreams" and a year later, Carole made her Broadway debut in the drama "Bloodbrothers". Since then, we had to wait for Carole King's brand-new studio recording album for a long time. Now, we have this at last. Recently there is not so many albums, to which I would listen over and over. But I have already listen to this Carole King album over 10 times although only 20 days passed since I have bought.
Label: Rockingale Records, USA (RKGL/KOC-CD-8346) Release Date: September 25, 2001 Producers: Pop Rox, Humberto Gatica, Babyface, David Foster and herself Musicians: Guitars: Steve Hamilton, Babyface, Michael Landau, Greg Wells, Rudy Guess, Rusty Anderson, Paul Jackson Jr., Dean Parks Bass: Nathan East, Armand Sabal-Lecco, Charlie Larkey Keyboards: Babyface, Paul Brady, David Foster, Randy Waldman Programming: Dave Schommer, Babyface, CJ Vanston, Lester Mendez, Simon Franglen, Randy Waldman Drums: Babyface, Greg Wells, Russ Kunkel Drum Programming: Michael McCoy Percussion: Duke Mushroom, Michael Fisher Sax: David Boruff Trumpet: Wynton Marsalis Featured Vocal (track 9): K.D. Lang Violin: Endre Granat, Julie Ann Gigante, Jacqueline Brand, Miran Kojian, Rafael Rishik, Amy Hershberger Violas: Brian Dembow, Dave Walther Cellos: John Walz, Arman Ksajikian Flute: David Shostac Oboe: Barbara Northcutt French Horn: Jim Thatcher Background Vocals: Dan Woods, Babyface, Celine Dion, Gary Burr, Paul Brady, Mark Hudson, Steven Tyler
International Order   Listen Before You Buy !   Listen Before You Buy !	Tracks: Love Makes The World You Can Do Anything The Reason I Wasn't Gonna Fall In Love I Don't Know Oh No Not My Baby It Could Have Been Anymore Monday Without You An Uncommon Love You Will Find Me There Safe Again This Time

ANGELS ON EARTH presents WINGS OF LIGHT - songs of inspiration -	<ACM Rating: >
Angels On Earth is a nonprofit foundation founded by Marino, London-born guitarist who now settles in Los Angeles with the mission to continue to provide angelic healing music, free of charge, to patients, hospitals, therapists, specialists, doctors and anyone involved in the healing arts, on a worldwide basis. I wonder if you have already listened to Marino's 2001 US debut release "The Unexpected Alliance" featuring his fellow musicians -- vocalists Bill Champlin and Alex Ligertwood (ex Santana), which was a kind of surprise for me alike finding a hidden treasure. And now, Marino present you this marvelous compilation album featuring several unreleased tracks we are obliged to show our interest. One is "Miracles" performed by Vince Di Cola featuring Jason Scheff. The other is "Talkin' To Angels" performed by Tamara Champlin.
Label: Angels On Earth, USA (Serial #: none) Release Date: October, 2001 Executive Producers: Marino and Ed Summers Musicians: Lead Vocals: Bobby Womack, Leon Patillo, Alex Ligertwood, Phillip Ingram, Margaret Fowler, Cassandra Denver, Jose Feliciano, Jason Scheff, Vince Di Cola, Ellis Hall, Roger Voudouris, Bill Champlin, Tamara Champlin, Leon Patillo Guitars: Bobby Womack, George Benson, Santana, Marino, Paul Jackson Jr., Tim Pierce, Rocket Ritchotte, Scott Shelly, Bruce Gaitsch Bass: David Shields, Pablo Tellez, Abraham Laboriel, Paul Bushnell, Marino Cippolina, Will Champlin Keyboards: Michael Wycoff, Tom Coster, Richard Baker, Bobby Lyle, Kim Bullard, Vince Di Cola, Casey Young, Smitty Price Sax: Wilton Felder, Tom Saviano Drums: James E. Gadson, Gaylord Birch, J. R. Robinson, Stephen Saviano Percussion: Paulinho Da Costa, Raul Rekow, Vinnie Colaiuta Background Vocals: Julia Waters, Maxine Waters, Oren Waters, Carol Dennis Dylan, Maxayn Lewis, Lani Groves, Margaret Fowler, Jim Gilstrap, Alvin Chia, Richard Page, Gary Falcone, Jason Scheff, Tracy Gable
International Order	Tracks: Save The Children - Bobby Womack The River - Santana Feel The Spirit - Alex Ligertwood Out Of The Ashes - Marino feat. Phillip Ingram Jerusalem - Cassandra Denver Daniel - Jose Feliciano Miracles - Vince Di Cola feat. Jason Scheff Day Of Redemption - Marino Southern Serenade - Bill Champlin Through The Eyes Of A Child - Bobby Womack feat. Patti LaBelle & George Benson You're Not Alone Tonight - Vince Di Cola feat. Ellis Hall & Roger Voudouris Talkin' To Angels - Tamara Champlin feat. Marino Thy Word - Leon Patillo

SAYIT / AGAIN	<ACM Rating: >
Tommy Denander, Swedish guitarist/ songwriter goes several projects at the same time. SAYIT is the most melodic and Westcoast-vein project among them. Comparing with the former projects, it is really good for us to find out that Tommy decided to carry a real human drummer instead of programming, which makes all the tunes alive. You may be surprised to listen to the last tune "Never Gonna Let You Go". Yes, this is the cover originally performed by David Roberts on his legendary solo album "All Dressed Up"(1982). By releasing this album. Tommy reveals us that he can write Westcost-vein tunes more than we expected. Worth listening for AOR / Westcoast lovers!!
Label: AOR Heaven,Germany (4-018996-101881) Release Date: October 10, 2001 Producers: Tommy Denander and Ricky Delin Musicians: Lead Vocals: Geir Rönning, Pierre Wensberg, Magnus Björkroth, Jim Jidhed, Kristoffer Lagerström Guitars: Sayit, Tommy Denander, Michael Thompson, Kee Marcello Keyboards: Tommy Denander, Mats Olausson Bass: Tommy Denander, Martin Landin, David Hungate Drums: Marcus Liliequist Background Vocals: Kristoffer Lagerström, Tommy Denander, Geir Rönning
International Order	Tracks: Dawn Love You Tonight Frozen I Can't Go On Halfway To Heaven Don't Cry When I Think About You Moon Comes Calling Heaven Holds You Near Never Gonna Let You Go

ARNOLD McCULLER / BACK TO FRONT	<ACM Rating: >
Arnold McCuller's new CD "Back To Front." is now ready. This CD includes his versions of songs by James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Marc Cohn, Beck, and Brenda Russell -- all artists he's performed with before. Arnold gives another lives to those tunes and as usual sings soulful and emotional. Arnold covers "Lazy Nina" written by Donald Fagen, which Arnold says that it is a song that's been in his live acts for over 15 15 years because he loves Donald Fagen and he has always been a fan of Greg Phillinganes.
Label: What's Good Records, USA (WGR-85002-2) Release Date: September 4, 2001 Producers: Jeff Hull, Dana Walden, Brad Cole, Andre Fisher Musicians: Guitars: Corky James, Dori Caymmi Keyboards: Brad Cole Bass: Jerry Watts, Neil Stubenhaus, Josh Walden Drums: Josh Quirk Percussion: Cassio Duarte, Mike Shapiro Accordion: Doug Lacy Background Vocals: Fred White, Lamont Van Hook, Sweet Pea Atkinson , Harry Bowens, Willie Green, Rosemary Butler, Kate Markowitz, Valerie Pinkston, David Lasley, And Stewart
International Order
	Tracks: Nick Of Time Baby King First Of May Hot And Sultry Afternoon Hold On My Heart Oughta Know By Now Paper Walls Look Up From Your Life Lazy Nina I Can't Make You Love Me Closing Time

  

PAULINE WILSON / TRIBUTE	<ACM Rating: >
Pauline Wilson, known for her awesome works with the legendary band SEAWIND, has just released "Tribute" which is a thank you to the singers of these songs who've influenced her career. As you can judge from the CD jacket design, Pauline sings jazzy although the album. Larry Williams and David Garfield have done very well as usual.
Label: McClees, USA (McClees 2001) Release Date: September, 2001 Producers: David Garfield and Blue Johnson Musicians: Keyboards: David Garfield, Larry Williams Drums: Harvey Mason, Airto Morelra Bass: Ken Wild, Alphonso Johnson Percussion: Lenny Castro Sax: Larry Williams, Michael Paulo, Kim Hutchcroft Trumpet: Jerry Hey
International Order	Tracks: Rio De Janeiro Blue Good Morning Heartache Never Let Me Go Sentimental Mood When I Fall In Love The Nearness Of You I Want To Be Around Someone To Watch Over Me Dindi

  

JAY GRAYDON/ BEBOP	<ACM Rating: >
Our guitarist, Jay Graydon has now released his latest album "Bebop" on his private label SONIC THRUST RECORDS. Webmaster of Jay Graydon's official website explains that this album contains straight ahead instrumental jazz written by Jay and Bill Cantos. Well, this is not a Westcoast Pop / AOR album we mostly expect Jay to make for us. Needless to say, Jay knows this, and therefore he explains this on the CD liner notes written by himself as follows: "For those of you that know my work, the last thing you might expect is an instrumental jazz bebop album. This album came about quite by accident. In brief, here's the story. Over the years, I have beta tested many electronic products designed by Marcus Ryle - a genius engineer and a good friend. One such product designed by him and his team is the ALESIS M20 DAT Digital Recorder. As usual, Marcus and the ALESIS team asked I beta test the system. Since the M20 digital recorder format is "pro quality", I decided to perform the audio test using acoustic instruments as to discover how the recorder system deals with a wide frequency range and natural dynamics. With that in mind, since I have jazz roots, recording a jazz bebop album came to mind. OK, electric guitar is not an acoustic instrument per se, but I wanted to play on the recording." In spite that I said the above, I am sure that you will satisfy with Jay's excellent guitar performance on track 6 "Tubs" at least!
Label: Sonic Thrust Records, USA (STRCD-001) Release Date: September, 2001 Jay Graydon: Producing, Engineering, Mastering, Arrangement, Guitars Musicians: Sax: Brandon Fields Piano: Bill Cantos Bass: Dave Carpenter Drums: Dave Weckl
International Order	Tracks: Joe Graydon TV Show 1951 Oh Yes, They Will Blow Man 4.2 Go 'Way Moon Tubs C Bop My Hot Girth G Wizz Star Spangled Banner

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THE FRONT / THE FRONT	<ACM Rating: >
Cool Sound now presents you re-reissue CD of the hard-to-find album relating to Tommy Funderburk, the voice of AOR. This album is the best mid 80's CCM album, thus almost all of lyrics written by Tommy are very spiritual. But, music written by Bob Wilson are very sophisticated and well-produced/arranged with good 80's Westcoast pop feeling.
Label: Cool Sound, Inc. Japan (COOL-079) (Original: Refuge Records, USA (R-84006)> Release Date: October 10, 2001 (Original Release Year: 1984) Producers: Bob Wilson and Tommy Funderburk Additional Musicians: Keyboards: Larry Williams Guitar: Dunn Huff Bass: Dennis Bellfield Guitar and Bass: Kevin Clerk Background Vocals: Tom Kelly, Linda McCrary, Tata Vega, Andrae Crouch, Phyllis St. James, Kristle Edwards
International Order   Melody Blvd. Cruisin' Music at GEMM	Tracks: It's Hard To Take Holy Night All Under Him King Of Glory The Promise Silent Night Tonight How Long