Many Adult Contemporary Music CD's are continuously being released every month. So, I would hereby show you Adult Contemporary Music CD New Releases ( also including Reissues) information as "Recommended Discs of The Month". I would highly recommend you to buy several albums by reading my personal reviews. In addition, I would also give you release information regarding other remarkable recent releases supported by one of the well-known on-line music store "Amazon.com" as "Noteworthy Discs of The Month".

Planet 3 / Gems Unearthed

<ACM Rating: >

You are now discovering another fine diamonds: "Gems Unearthed", the second Planet 3 album featuring Jay Graydon in your hands. The album features many previously unreleased songs as well as alternate versions of a few songs from the first Planet 3 album. This second Planet 3 album opens up a jewel case of treasures for quality music lovers. Jay tells us in the liner notes:-

"A while back, I was organizing my tape library and came across many recordings of Planet 3 songs that were recorded around the time of the Planet 3 album - 'Music From The Planet'. After listening to the tapes, I humbly state I became excited as the songs and performances are happening and should be released! We simply had too many songs to choose from so these were most likely for a follow up album so about 15 years later, here is the follow up album! The majority of the performances were either one, two or three passes with an occasional "punch in" fix and the mixes were board mixes. The bottom line is raw energy similar to a live real time performance!"

Speaking of Japanese version, you might be surprised to see the track order, which would be started by 3 bonus tracks taken from another Jay Graydon's masterpiece "Airplay For The Planet":- "After The Love Has Gone", "Holdin' On To Love" and "Roxann".Reportedly, Japanese version uses the re-remastering materials of "Gems Unearthed" for natural shift from the first 3 bonus tracks.

• Label: Sonic Thrust Records, USA <STRCD-007> (Japan: Nippon Columbia <COCB53207>)
• Release Date: March 3, 2004 (Japan: April 28, 2004)
• Planet 3 is:
  • Jay Graydon: Lead and Rhythm Guitars, keyboards, Programming
  • Clif Magness: Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards, Programming
  • Glen Ballard: Keyboards, programming

• Tracks:
  1. After The Love Has Gone (Bonus for Japan)
  2. Holdin' On To Love (Bonus for Japan)
  3. Roxann (Bonus for Japan)
  4. Jenny's Still In Love
  5. Modern Girl
  6. Tonight You're Mine
  7. Push It In
  8. Mondo Rock
  9. Criminal
  10. Comin' Together
  11. I Don't Want To Say Goodnight
  12. Make My Day
  13. Gotta Have It

AOR / Nothing But The Best

<ACM Rating: >

Frédéric Slama keeps his aggressive desire to provide brand-new music during 2004. As a matter of fact, Slama recorded "Desperate Dreams" (originally included on AOR's 2nd album "Next Stop: L.A.") featuring Fergie Frederiksen for this his acclaimed project AOR best collection CD entitled "Nothing But The Truth". This brand new CD fully remastered by Tommy Denander features 12 alternate versions & different mixes of several songs that were in AOR's previous albums with the above-mentioned brand new track. Oops, I forgot to mention about the other two brand new recordings done for this collection CD. The CD is opened by the 2 brand-new track "In My Crystal Ball" and "Only In My Dreams" featuring Dane Donohue on the lead vocal. The original version of those tracks were on the first AOR album "L.A. Concession".

• Label : Cool Sound, Japan (COOL-113) / AOR Heaven, Germany
• Release Date: April 8, 2004
• Producers: Frédéric Slama, Tommy Denander, David Diggs
• Musicians:
  • Lead Vocals: Fergie Frederiksen , Steve Overland, Goran Edman, Bill Champlin, David Roberts, Dane Donohue, Rick Riso, Michael Ruff, Chris Demming, Doug St. John
  • Guitars: Frederic Slama ,Tommy Denander, Steve Lukather, Michael Landau, Bruce Gaitsch, Michael Thompson, James Harrah, David Williams, Andre Harold
  • Keyboards: David Diggs, Peter Hume
  • Sax: Brandon Fields, Dave Boruff, Tom Saviano
  • Bass: Hussain Joffry , Eddie Watkins Jr.
  • Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta, Ed Greene, Carlos Vega, Joe Heredia, Pat Thern
  • Backing Vocals: Richard Page , Steve George, Janey Clewer,
    Rachel Diggs , Charlie Bleak , Kristoffer Lagerstrom, Fredrik Antblad, Tom Bailey, Johan Sahlen

International Order

• Tracks:
  1. In My Crystal Ball
  2. Only In My Dreams
  3. Desperate Dreams
  4. Leave Her To Heaven
  5. On Dangerous Ground
  6. The Way Of The Night
  7. Teach Me How To Love You Again
  8. Worlds Away
  9. Don't Let Her Go
  10. You're My Obsession
  11. Never Gonna Let Her Go
  12. Love Has Found Its Way
  13. Sensation
  14. Lost In Your Eyes
  15. A Quiet Storm

CROSSFADE / White On Blue

Here is the long-awaited project CD featuring Go¨ran Edman, the Swedish superb vocalist, known for his works with John Norum, and Street Talk. CROSSFADE is the project with Lars Hallba¨ck, a Swedish guitarist, featuring Per Lindvall (Drums/Percussion), known for his works with Michael Ruff, Sven Lindvall (Bass), younger brother of Per's, Pablo Cepeda (Conga/Bongo), Richard Stenstro¨m, co-founder of "Crossfade" (Keyboards), Nina Inhammar (Background Vocals) and with The X-horns, the horn section being. Leif Lindvall (Trumpet),the oldest brother of the Lindvalls, Hans Dyvik (Trumpet), Wojtek Goral (Sax), Urban Wiborg (Trombone). The second track "Did You Really" must be killing you entirely once you listen, unless you could deny this perfect TOTO-vein sound with horns. "Vanity" with beautiful harmony vocals follows. "Flying" is really smooth jazzy and funky tune with the atmosphere like Tears for Fears' "Everybody Want To Rule The World". A piano ballad with fantastic performances "A Deeper Shade Of Love" gives a good break for listners. This is not either mere AOR/melodic rock album or mere Westcoast album. Crossfade seems to reach much higher level now....

Lars, the founder of this project self-reviewed this album as follows:-

"CROSSFADE stands for TRANSITION. Transition through all the inspiration and heritage we carry and have gathered through the years. You can hear influences from the, 60´s, 70´s, 80´s up till modern days transform into the sound of CROSSFADE. Of course we lean toward the music one might call West Coast/AOR but we have tried to take it a bit further. You can hear vocal arrangement sounds from the 60´s as well as the 70´s ,80´s and with a production that transforms it into the 21 century. We tried to bring a mix of songs that Crossfade/transforms into something new and fresh and not like a remix of something previously done. The fans of Toto, Foster, Sting, Graydon, Pages, Michael McDonald, Steely Dan, Don Henley and Mr Mister will hopefully find their appetite satisfied here."

• Label: MTM Music, Germany (0681-96) (Japan: Nippon Crown <CRCL-4581>)
• Release Date: April 5, 2004 ( Japan: April 1, 2004)
• Producers: Lars Hallba¨ck and Richard Stenstro¨m
• Crossfade:
  • Go¨ran Edman : Vocals
  • Lars Hallba¨ck: Guitars
  • Richard Stenstro¨m: Keyboards
  • Per Lindvall: Drums, Percussion
  • Sven Lindvall: Bass
  • Pablo Cepeda: Congas, Bongos
  • Nina Inhammar: Background Vocals
  • The X Horns:
    • Leif Lindvall: Trumpet
    • Hans Dyvik: Trumpet
    • Wojtek Goral: Sax
    • Urban Wiborg: Trombone

• Tracks
  1. The Day The Music Died
  2. Did You Really?
  3. Vanity Fair
  4. Flying
  5. A Deeper Shade Of Love
  6. Thorns Of Life
  7. Loving Eyes
  8. Time
  9. Don't Really Matter
  10. You

DEACON STREET PROJECT

<ACM Rating: >

Tommy Denander must be one of the busiest AOR project organizer now. Here is another Tommy organized project called "Deacon Street Project".This project started just because Tommy and his partner Chris Demming (AOR, SPIN GALLERY) had written a lot of cool songs for various artists and found themselves with a lot of very good but unused AOR songs. They decided to make an album with those songs featuring many familiar names such as Jan Johansen (IGNITION), Jamie Meyer (Popstars), Bruce Gaitsch. The songs are classic melodic rock in the style of JOURNEY, GIANT, TOTO etc. and the performances really show the fun everybody had while recording them. As you guess, Tommy present you mid 80's Toto-vein sounds. "I Can't Go Back" is my favourite, which reminds me of "Don't Mean Nothing" (Richard Marx) a little which must be because of Bruce Gaitsch's guitar sounds. "Love's Got A Hold On Me" is a little surprising tune because of its pop melody, which certifies that Tommy is a real melody maker! Tommy states as follows:-

"This is not a band, there might not be another album....it's just good music (we think) that was written and recorded by good friends because the mood was right and enough cash was spent to make us work a little.....just kidding!" AOR and the melodic rock scene in general is far from the size of it's big days in the 80's and early 90's but a lot of really good albums are still being made and we hope you'll look upon this album as a labor of love... another warm contribution to keep the flame burning if you will. I write music all the time I and had most of these songs just sitting in my computer so I asked Chris to write lyrics to them and then presented the idea of a "project album" to Georg at AOR Heaven. He liked the idea so I started to ask some of my nice friends if they would like to "jam" a little and they all kindly agreed...so thanks guys!!! "Before I Loved Just You" is actually song we wrote for the Swedish Eurovision contest last year and that Chris later wrote the great Swedish lyrics to for the competition. This is the original version that Jan Johansen sang for us... I thought it would be cool to have it released on this, and the song "Mad about you" is of course a Toto cover, I recorded this with Gier a few years ago in a couple of hours...simply cause we like the song and had nothing before to do:-). Hope you enjoy this album for what it is... if it sells enough we might do another...only time will tell."

• Label: AOR Heaven, Germany (00007)
• Release Date: March 29, 2004
• Producers: Tommy Denander and Chris Demming
• Musicians:
  • Vocals: Jan Johansen, Jamie Meyer, Magnus Weinemo, Chris Demming, Geir Ro¨nning
  • Bass: Marcel Jacob, Tommy Denander, Chris Demming
  • Keyboards :Tommy Denander, Chris Demming
  • Drums: Marcus Liliequist, Pat Thern
  • Guitars: Tommy Denander, Jeff Northrup (track 3), Bruce Gaitsch (track 4, 6), Sayit (track 7), Lars Chriss (track 9)

• Tracks :
  1. Radio
  2. Changes
  3. Caught Up In A Fear Of Loving
  4. I Can't Go Back
  5. I Lost In The Moment
  6. Before I Loved Just You
  7. Living A Lie
  8. Love's Got A Hold On Me
  9. Find Me A Meaning
  10. I Don't Mind
  11. Someday I'll Offer You Surrender
  12. Mad About You

GENAI / Dance With Me

<ACM Rating: >

Genai, the unit of a songwriter/producer Oliver Wendell with female vocalist Robbie Danzie delivers you early summer's sea breeze to you from Hawaii. From 1979 to 1984, Oliver Wendell worked as an arranger and producer in the Chicago, also playing in a number of local groups . After moving to South California, Oliver became involved in record, TV and film work in addition to a contemporary jazz project involving Herbie Hancock, Ray Parker Jr, Wah Wah Watson and Paul Jackson Jr. It should be noted that Oliver is the man who scored music for the TV series "Cagney & Lacey" and that he co-produced Jewel's album. In 1999, the first Genai album "Heaven On Earth" was welcomed by those with an ear for quality sophisticated jazzy soul. In the summer of 2000, Genai came back with an album "Heavens Not So Far Away" featuring Robbie Danzie. This is the 5th album " Dance With Me" delivering a selection of both original songs and their jazzy soul interpretations of pop music classics "The Lady Wants To Know" originally performed by Michael Franks, "Dance With Me" (Orleans) and "Juliette" (Kalapana). How about going to somewhere on the earth with Genai's music this summer?

• Label: Videoarts Music Inc., Japan (VACM-1241)
• Release Date: April 28, 2004
• Producer: Oliver Wendel
• Genai is:
  • Oliver Wendel: Guitars, Keyboards, Percussion
  • Robbie Danzie: Lead Vocals, Background Vocals
• Musicians:
  • Brian Simpson: Synthesizer, Piano

　

　

International Order

• Tracks:
  1. Gifts Of Love
  2. The Lady Wants To Know
  3. Cherry Blossom
  4. Seasonal Dance
  5. Spring Into Summer (interlude)
  6. Dance With Me
  7. Spirits Flying Free
  8. Imagine
  9. Simple And Free
  10. Juliette
  11. Heaven On Earth

Brenda Russell / Between The Sun And The Moon

<ACM Rating: >

Brenda Russell is a top-rated soul singer songwriter has released this new album "Between The Sun And The Moon" which follows the album "Paris Rain" (2000). As you know, Brenda embarked on a solo career with the album "Brenda Russell" in 1979. Her 1983 album "Two Eyes" is said to be one of masterpiece, although she released her most popular album "Get Here" (1988), which featured the Top 10 single "Piano in the Dark". When we listen to this brand-new 8th solo album, firstly you will encounter the latin melody titled "Make You Smile" penned by Matt Cooper and Jean-Paul "Bluey" of the well-known UK Soul Jazz project Incognite with Brenda. It also features several soul-oriented tracks including the title tune "Between The Sun And The Moon" written by herself with Patti Austin that will remind long-time fans of her early records. As of May 1, 2004, this album is currently only available here in Japan but UK release will follow accordingly. If you cannot wait for the day, it is a quite understandable. Worth buying the Japanese advanced release right now!

• Label: Dome Records, UK (Japan: Nippon Columbia <COCB-53189>)
• Release Date: March 31, 2003 (Japan)
• Producer: Jean Paul "Bluey" Maunick, Victor Redwood-Sawyer , Ronkat Speaman, Stephen Oberhoff, Jochem van der Saag, Simon Law, Lee Hamblin, John Barnes, Lee Ritenour, Stephen Bray, Joe Vannelli and herself
• Musicians:
  • Duet Vocals (track4): Patti Austin
  • Guitars: Bluey, James Harrah, Lee Hamblin, Lee Ritenour, Michael James, Joseph Ross
  • Drums: Lee Hamblin, Stephen Bray, Moyes Lucas
  • Bass: Matt Cooper, Victor Redwood-Sawyer, Ronkat Speaman, Stephen Oberhoff, Nathan East, Wayne Linsey, Jimmy Haslip
  • Keyboards: Matt Cooper, Victor Redwood-Sawyer, Ronkat Speaman, Stephen Oberhoff, Mark Cawley, Jochem van der Saag, Simon Law, Russell Ferrante, Ski Oakenfull, Lee Hamblin, Joe Vannelli
  • Percussion: Richard Bailey, Cassio Duarte, Stephen Oberhoff, Lee Hamblin, Luis Conte, Thomas Dyani
  • Trumpet: Dominic Glover, Mark "Led" Ledford
  • Flugelhorn: Dominic Glover
  • Trombone: Nichol Thompson
  • Flute: Gary Barnacle
  • Sax: Ed Jones, Gary Barnacle, Scott Mayo
  • Background Vocals: Jochem van der Saag, Alex Brown, Bridgette Bryant, Joey Diggs, Brenda Marie Eager, Bunny Hill, Fred White, Hamish Stuart, Tyrone Henry, Imaari, Lee Hamblin

International Order

• Tracks :
  1. Make You Smile
  2. Too Cool For The Room
  3. The Message
  4. Between The Sun And The Moon
  5. I Know You By Heart
  6. When You Comin' Back To Me
  7. Let Somebody Know
  8. The Tracks On My Tears?
  9. Different Eyes
  10. Ain't No Smoke
  11. You Know Our Day Will Come
  12. Tracks On My Tears Crazy Life � �

Howland, Laug, Marrison & Pinnick / Live At The Baked Potato

<ACM Rating: >

Keith Howland, the current guitarist of Chicago released his 2 solo projects' live CD's, both of which were recorded on consecutive nights at the world famous jazz club "The Baked Potato" in North Hollywood California on November 3rd and 4th, 2003. The first one is "Howland, Laug, Morrison & Pinnick / Live At The Baked Potato". This live CD contains high energy versions of the tunes from the studio-recording album.

• Label: GraceNote Records, USA (Catalog #: n/a)
• Release Date: March 26, 2004
• Producer: HLMP
• HLMP is:
  • Keith Howland: Guitar
  • Matt Laug: Drums
  • Lance Morrison: Bass
  • Chris Pinnick : Guitar
• Special Guest:
  • Jeff Babko: Keys

• Tracks :
  1. Snonga
  2. Tenacious Boogie
  3. The Last One
  4. Sharo Funk 5
  5. Hank Spank
  6. Pay The Man
  7. Cup O' Tea
  8. Bowl Of Surprises
  9. Laug Jam
  10. Swingset Assembly

The Howland Imboden Project / Live At The Baked Potato

<ACM Rating: >

Here is another Keith Howland solo projects' live CD, recorded at the Baked Potato in North Hollywood on November 3, 20003. Keith and Tris locked a bassist Lance Morrison, the 3rd member of the live band but they needed someone who could come in and really cover lots of musical bases and also elevate the improvisation side to a level worthy of The Baked Potato name. Finally they found the keyboard player, Steve Weingart who most know from his work with the amazing Dave Weckl Band. You will enjoy their energy on this live CD now.

• Label: GraceNote Records, USA (Catalog #: n/a)
• Release Date: March 26, 2004
• Producer: The Howland Imboden Project
• The Howland Imboden Project is:
  • Keith Howland: Guitar
  • Tris Imboden : Drums
  • Lance Morrison: Bass
  • Steve Weingart: Keyboards

• Tracks :
  1. Don't Wake The Baby
  2. Theme From A Love Dream
  3. Your Old Thingy
  4. Philly Blue
  5. Fallin' In A Hole
  6. Sharp Funk 5
  7. The Last One
  8. Friday The 13th
  9. Mr. Ceiling Fan
  10. Inching Towards?

Jeff Larson / Sepia

<ACM Rating: >

Jeff Larson, a singer/songwriter from the San Francisco Bay Area of California, always carries beautiful melodies. The album "Sepia" follows his acclaimed album "Fragile Sunrise" (2002). This album includes 11 new songs with guests Gerry Beckley, Dewey Bunnell, Jeff Foskett, Steuart Smith and more. Enjoy pure California singer/songwriter's beautiful piece.

• Label: New Surf North Records, USA (Japan: Victor Entertainment)
• Release Date: June 8, 2004 (Japan: March 24, 2004)
• Producer: Hank Linderman, Gerry Beckley
• Jeff Larson: Lead and Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitars
• Musicians:
  • Hank Linderman: Electric Guitar, Bass, Keyboards, Programming
  • Gerry Beckley: Backing Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar
  • Dewey Bunnell: Backing Vocals
  • Gary Griffin: Piano, Keyboards
  • Steuart Smith: Electric Guitar
  • Erik Andrews: Trumpet
  • Jeff Foskett: Backing Vocals
  • Randell Kirsch: Backing Vocals

• Tracks :
  1. Windblown Mind
  2. What About My Dreams
  3. Cryin'
  4. Getting Into Yesterday
  5. Seeing Red
  6. Suburban Lawns
  7. Hazy Sunshine
  8. Nothing On You
  9. Broken Heart Smile
  10. Blur
  11. Never Enough Time
  12. Getting Into Yesterday (Acoustic - Bonus)

TIM MOORE / Tim Moore - White Shadows - Behind The Eyes - High Contrast - Flash Forward

<ACM Rating: >

Tim Moore is well-known for his smash hits such as "Second Avenue" for Art Garfunkel in 1974, and "Rock and Roll Love Letter" for the Bay City Rollers in 1976. Before pursuing solo career, Tim Moore formed a band in 1966 with Todd Rundgren, then moved on to form another legendary band 'Gulliver' with Daryl Hall and released an album in 1970. In 1974, Tim released his solo debut album"A Fool Like You" under small label and a year later this one was re-rleased as self-title album "Tim Moore" by Asylum. The next one was "Behind The Eyes"(1976) including his own version of "Rock and Roll Love Letter". 1977 album "White Shadows" might be most interesting one for you because of featuring musicians:- Jeff Porcaro (ds), Jai Winding (key), Elliot Randoll (g), Fred Tackett (g), Lee Sklar (b), David Hungate (b), John Townsend (back vo), Tom Snow (back vo), Michael McDonald (back vo) and many more. After releasing the album "High Contrast" in 1979, Tim retired from performing but he came back with "Flash Forward" in 1985. Now, here we have 24 -bit remastered CD's, all of which feature a bonus track!! Revisit Tim Moore's magical pop world.

• Label: Airmail Recordings, Japan (AIRAC- 1049, 1050, 1051, 1052, 1053)
• Release Date:March 10, 2004