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 stores "Music Boulevard"/ "CD Now" and "Amazon.com" as "Noteworthy Discs of The Month" .


Contents

 

 

 

 


RECOMMENDED DISCS OF THIS MONTH

NEW RELEASES

 

One question for you! Do you remember when the last Michael Ruff's studio recording full album was released? The answer is 1992. Actually we had 3 full albums of Michael Ruff's between those 7 years, but first of which was the studio-live album "Speaking In Melodies", second one was the best selection album "Girl Like You" with 2 unreleased tunes and the third one is the one of the most thrilling live album with the Straight Jackets "Live". (Of course I know there are another one "Shake A Little" which includes only 4 songs.)
Yes, it was so long for us until having this full studio recording album. But now we have this great album at last. As the title of this album shows, this album includes excellent lovesongs and lullabies. And we can listen to his masterpiece self-cover "More Than You'll Ever Know" again also on this album.
 

 Michael Ruff / Lovesongs + Lullabies

 

International Order

219 Merrylog Lane, Kingston Springs, TN 37082
Phone: 1-800-321-5738
Website: http://www.cassettehouse.com
International Order

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

 

Mark Spiro did again! This is his 4th solo album released under MTM. His vocal is getting better than any other albums of his. Totalilty of the album is the perfect. Therefore, this album deserves to be called as true AOR album in the two meaning, that is, standing for not only the true "Adult Oriented Rock" album but also the true "Album Oriented Rock" album. No explanation is needed. Listen without hesitation.

Mark Spiro / The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of 

 
 

International Order

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

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

 

 

Arnold McCuller is said to be "A singer's singer", because of his rich distinctive tones enhancing the recordings and gigs of many top performers such as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Luther Vandross, Linda Ronstadt, Phil Collins, Lionel Ritchie, Michael McDonald and James Taylor. Alongside his backing vocal works, Arnold released 3 solo albums including this one. In 1984, his first solo album "A Part Of Me That's You" is one of the hidden masterpiece among Adult Contemporary Music fans for long years. We had to wait for almost 10 years before his 2nd solo album "Exception To The Rule" release.
And in 1999, we have got his 3rd solo album "You Can't Go Back" right here. On this album, you can find most of all the name known as the top Smooth Jazz field musicians of late 90's such as Gregg Karukas, Pat Kelly as supporting musicians and/or Phil Sheeran, Ron Boustead and Bill Cantos as songwriters. Bill Cantos produces 5 out of 12 songs, play or sing on 9 songs and compose 3 songs. This album is another good album of Black Adult Contemporary.
Arnold McCuller / You Can't Go Back

International Order

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

 

 
Who is Lareé Gibson? I have no idea honestly when I got the e-mail from David Diggs. The Only thing I believe is that this unknown artist may be worth listening because this artist is fully produced by David Diggs. A week later, I received her CD from David and soon the CD was setted on my CD player. When I listen to the first few tones of the first track, I felt this must be good album and after listening to the full contents, I believe I should promote her by reviewing this album on my web. Therefore I do. Here is her bio;
"LA Southern California native, Lareé Gibson has continuously broadened her exposure as a singer/songwriter throughout her years in the industry. Influenced by Elton John, Carole King and Gerry Rafferty, the stage was set for her to develop the kind of indescribable musicality, integrity and confidence so resonant throughout each aspect of her artistry. Lareé has traveled extensively across the Western United States with numerous talented musicians. Her recent CD release "Wakin' Up To My Dreams" is produced by Top Ten artist David Diggs and features such acclaimed artists as Scott Henderson (TribalTech), Brandon Fields (George Benson, Dave Weckyl, etc.), Joseph Heredia (Mendoza, Heredia, & Neto - release in Japan) and Ken Wild (Seawind). The album masterfully intertwines Rhythm & Blues, Pop, Rock and a touch of Jazz delivering an innovative West Coast sound."

 Laree Gibson

 
Order Information

Send a money order (in U.S. Dollars) payable to:

Debra Linden

333 East Walnut Avenue El Segundo, CA 90245

The price is $22 (U.S.) per CD (this includes shipping and handling costs).

The CD(s) will be shipped to you immediately via Global Priority Mail.

Lareé Gibson's Official Homepage

International Order

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

 

First Of All, I should say that this Bobby's new album is not the long-waited Westcoast Pop album..... Standard Jazz Vocal album again, as the former album "Blue Condition". Therefore I am afraid that many AOR/Westcoast fans are disappointed. However, if I listen to this album just only as Standard Jazz Vocal album, this album must deserve to be reviewed here. That's the reason why I review this month. On this album, you can find out a original tune "April Moon" written by Bobby among the greatest standard numbers. "April Moon" has almost same song quality as those standard numbers, which shows Bobby's awesome talent as a composer.
The only thing I cannot understand is that "Come To Me" remastered version is added as the bonus track for Japanese release, which destorys the album totality and almost no value for fans because that is just a remastered version. No meaning! I guess why such stupid thing had happen as follows: at early stage of the release information of this album, the new version of "Come To Me" would be included on this album, but no new recording was carried out and as the result Japanese recording company could not help add the meaningless remastered version to this album.
I hope Bobby will make his excellent original album full of his good Westcoast Pop melodies as he did in 80's near future. I believe the day will come absolutely.
 

Bobby Caldwell

 

 

 

 

REISSUE

 

Another hidden masterpiece Westcoast/AOR album is available on CD. It is Chris Montan's solo album "Any Minutes Now". He was participating in Karla Bonoff's supporting band in those days. His music style was really good-old early 80's Westcoast one. On the opening track "Is This The Way Of Love", He duets with Lauren Wood. His melody is very soft and gentle and remind you James Taylor and/or Andrew Gold. Supporting musicians are remarkable: Rick Chudacoff, Peter Bunetta, Arno Lucas from "Crackin'" and many many others!

 Chris Montan

 

International Order

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

International Order

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

 

 

 

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.