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" .


Contents 

 

 


RECOMMENDED DISCS OF DECEMBER 1998

NEW RELEASES

 

Ricky Lawson

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

 

  On this new album, Patti shows her contemporary Jazzy side rather than R&B pop side shown on her former album "Juke Box Dreams" (1996). Patti covers Adult Contemporary Music standard songs such as "Look What You've Done To Me" originally performed by Boz Scaggs and Donald Fagen's "I.G.Y.". On the Japanese version, you can listen to 2 bonus tracks, one of which is "Look What You've Done To Me" which seems to be one of the best tracks on this album. Needless to say, the rest of the songs are really worth listening."The Look Of Love", the opening track is the masterpiece written by Hal David and Burt Bacharach, on which Patti succeded to give this song another soul and emotion.

Patti Austin / Street Of Dreams

 

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com
 

 

Denander-Gaitsch

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

 

Valerie Carter is one of the remarkable female singers in the West Coast Music scene. She appeared as the singer of the gorup "Howdy Moon", one of whose mrmbers except her was Jon Lind (ex Fifth Avenue Band) in early 70's. After releasing two solo albums Throw Away" and "Wild Child" in late 70's supported by Toto members and other session musicians, we had not got her news for a long time. In 1996, Varelie has come back to the front and released her 3rd solo album "The Way It Is" supported by Jackson Browne's touring band members such as Mark Goldenberg. This is her mini album which includes her favourite songs. For example, "After The Gold Rush" is originally performed by Neil Young in 1970. "Crazy You" is the song from Prince's debut album of 1978. She enjoys singing in very calm, gentle and relaxing mood.

Valerie Carter / Find A River

 

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

 
One of the best 80's pop stars, Rick Springfield released his solo album after 10 years silence. As you have been aware, Rick Springfield has released his project with Tim Pierce (guitar) and Bob Marlette (keyboards) under the name of "Sahara Snow" with MTM Music Germany in 1997 to break his silence since 1988 that is the year when his former solo album "Rock Of Life". On the album "Sahara Snow", Rick succeded to show us that he kept his storng Rock sprits as before. On this album, he shows not only such kind of Rock sprits but also his pop sense. Once you listen to this album, I guess you must grin because many essense of 80's hit tunes such as "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" performed by Tears for Fears. On this album, Bob Marlete does not play keyboards but write materials with Rick. One of the remarkable fact concerning this album must be that Richard Page (ex Pages, ex Mr. Mister) participates in 4 tracks as a background vocalist.

Rick Springfield

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

Georg Siegl, Landshuter Str. 11 84051 ALTHEIM, Germany
Phone / Fax +49 8703 8517
Website: http://www.aorheaven.com

 

Player is one of the typical groups which is used for the explanation of the meaning of the word "AOR" which stands for "Adult Oriented Rock" in Japanese music market. The definition of the word is a little differnet from that in Europe or the States. In Europe, AOR stands for the American-influenced hard progressive melodic rock'n roll and typical groups in this category are Journey, Boston, Rush and Kansas. I believe that Airplay, Toto, Ambrosia and Chicago are categorized in Westcoast (Pop) Music in Europe because they emerged mainly from Los Angeles music scene. However, do you think that "Westcoast Music" is suitable for the groups wuth similar sound-taste not coming originally from Westcoast in the States such as this goup "Player"? Player was actually started by Peter Beckett coming from Liverpool, England with J.C. Crowley coming from Texas, USA. Thus we, Japanese, are using the word "AOR" instead. Apart from the definition of "AOR", We had actually another "The Best Of Player" CD released in 1991 here in Japan and Europe. The biggest difference from the former best album is thatit contains 3 tracks from their 4th album"Spies Of Life" (1982). Moreover, you can lsiten to not only 2 tracks from their 5th album "Lost In Reality" (1996) but also "Melanie" from their 1st album "Player" (1977) which had not been included on the former best album.
The Best Of Player

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

Georg Siegl, Landshuter Str. 11 84051 ALTHEIM, Germany
Phone / Fax +49 8703 8517
Website: http://www.aorheaven.com

Listen Before You Buy !

Listen Before You Buy !

 

When we got Richard Marx's Greatest Hits released over the world in 1997, many of us have heard that Richard would do extra recordings for its Asian version. Now we have another Greatest Hits from the South-East Asian coutries at last. 2 beautiful ballad-type songs are added. One is "Slipping Away", the other is "Thanks To You", a tribute song to what his mother means to Richard. Both songs were recorded in July 1998, which means these songs are brand-new songs for this Asian version. Instead of these 2 new tunes, "Touch Of Heaven" and "Satisfied" are waived.

Richard Marx / Greatest Hits

International Order

CD Asia
47 Hill Street #07-02 SCCCI Building, SINGAPORE 179365
Tel : (65) 334-3453 Fax : (65) 585-1187
URL : http://www.cdasia.com.sg and http://www.ecomz.com/cdasia

 

"Love Shoudn't Hurt" is the benefit project CD to NCPCA (the National Committee to Prevent Child Abuse). All artists on this recording and all of the producers of these tracks have donated 100% of their royalties directly to NCPCA. The title track "Love Shouldn't Hurt" with guest vocalists listed as below is written and produced by Steve Kipner and Jack Kugell and Eva King. All guitars of this track are played by Michael Thompson and Bass guitars by Neil Stubenhaus and Verdine White. You can also lsiten to Stephen Bishop's beautiful song titled "Little Girl". Michael McDonald donates "For A Child". "Love" originally perfromed by John Lennon can be listened by Kenny Loggins on this album. Bobby Caldwell also donates his late 70's smash hit song "What You Won't Do For Love" to this project. Thus, this album is completed as one of the best compilation album in 1998 from the viewpoint of music quality. Worth buying it.
Love Shouldn't Hurt

International Order

Listen Before You Buy !

Listen Before You Buy !

 

 

REISSUE

 

Dan Peek is the original member of "America" and left the group in 1976 after releasing 8 albums. In addition to "A Horse With No Name" (1975) and "Sister Golden Hair", number-one hits in the U.S chart, America with Dan produced many top-10 hits such as "I Need You". Dan released his 1st solo album "All Things Are Possible" in 1978 supported by many L.A. session musicians such as Jay Graydon, Steve Porcaro and Michael O'martian. This is his 2nd solo album prroduced by Chris Christian. This album is categorized in CCM (Cntemporary Christian Music), therefore lylics of several songs are very religious , but almost the melodies on this album are really high-quality 80's Westcoast Pop Music. Due to the delay of remastering process, the reissue schedule has been delayed for about 6 months. Now at last we can listen to this long-waited reissue CD.

Dan Peek / Doer Of The World

 

 

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

Georg Siegl, Landshuter Str. 11 84051 ALTHEIM, Germany
Phone / Fax +49 8703 8517
Website: http://www.aorheaven.com

  Rick Riso is one of the best CCM singer who with soulful music taste. If you like Bobby Caldwell's early works, you must buy this album. Accrding to his interview appeared on the linernotes of this reissued CD, Rick started his professional music career to release limted press record in 1964 as a member of Blues rock band. when he is only 14! In 1976, he released the album "The New Has Come" as the lead vocalist of CCM group named "Messenger". After releasing Messengers' 2nd album "Bringin' The Message" in 1978, he started his solo career. This album, "Gotta Have The Real Thing", is his 1st solo album produced by Chris Christian in 1985. You may recall Al Jarreau when you listen to this album rather than Bobby Caldwell. Due to the delay of remastering process for this reissued CD, we have been waited for about 6 months. Now we can listen to this masterpiece on CD at last!!

Rick Riso / Gotta Have The Real Thing

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

Georg Siegl, Landshuter Str. 11 84051 ALTHEIM, Germany
Phone / Fax +49 8703 8517
Website: http://www.aorheaven.com

 
 White Heart is still now continuing to release their melodious hard rock'n'roll tunes in the present CCM scene. However, their early 80's albums are remarkable. Dann Huff, one of the leading guitarists in AOR field, participated in this group and you can listen to his excellent guitar on these 2 albums. "White Heart" is their 1st album released in 1982 and "Vital Signs" is their 2nd album released in 1984.

White Heart

 White Heart / Vital Signs

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

Georg Siegl, Landshuter Str. 11 84051 ALTHEIM, Germany
Phone / Fax +49 8703 8517
Website: http://www.aorheaven.com

 

 

 Crackin' is also a legendary group of Peter Bunetta and Rick Chudacoff featuring Leslie Smith. Their 1st album "Crackin'" was released in 1975 without Peter Bunetta. Then Peter jined the band and released three albums in 1977 and 1978. This 4th album, the last album of the group was produced by Michael Omartian and featuring Ernie Watts and Jay Graydon. And you may be aware of the name of R. Dupris... Yes, he is Robbie Dupree. After the group disbanded, Peter Bunetta and Rick Chudacoff made so many productions in early 80's, including Robbie Dupree's albums.

Crackin' / Special Touch

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

Stylus is the Best band coming from Down-Under heavily influenced by Westcoast Sound with Black Contemporary taste. "Part Of It All" is the best album of the group and one of the hardest-to-find album among Westcoast music freaks

 Stylus/ Part Of It All

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

MISSING PIECES

 

Jeff Larson, the young singer/songwriter with acoustic-flavored talents, can write real West Coast melodies in late 90's. We cannot help feeling good 70's California sound as same as "America" gave us at that time. He released 2 solo albums "Beggars" and "Upper Story" out on a Holland based label and you can listen to 2 tracks from "Beggars" on "Thoughtscape Sounds '97 Sampler CD 2". And in 1998, he completed his 3rd solo album "Water Color Sky" full of good West Coast tunes. You can find out not only Jeffrey Fosket but also Gerry Beckley of America as producers of this album. Good Acoustic-flavored album this is.

Jeff Larson / Watercolor Sky

 

 

International Order

115 North 10th Street, #3A, Fort Smith, AR 72901, USA
Tel: 1-800-435-6185
Website: http://www.thoughtscape.com

  Phil Klein, a native of Illnois, relocated to San Francisco after spending 2 years in Los Angeles where he started to work as a professional keyboard player. In San Francisco, Phil got an assistant teaching position at San Francisco State University and he co-directed the jazz studies program for 3 years while completing a master degree in composition. Inbetween teaching, and jingle work Phil gradually began moving into the studio and his earned a reputation as a talented producer, arranger, composer and songwriter. Phil released his first solo album "In Hour Of Shadows and Whispers" in 1995. The second solo album "Cruise Control" has just been released and in national distribution on Sindrome Records in 1998.

Phil Klein / Cruise Control

International Order

Listen Before You Buy !

Listen Before You Buy !

 

 

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

 

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

: Back to My Adult Contemporary Music Home Page.