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 This Month (Back to latest monthly recommendation)

• Recommended Discs of August, 1998

   

  • New Releases
    1. Silent Möbius Original Soundtrack Vol.2 "Melody"
    2. Chicago / The Heart Of Chicago 1968-1981 II
    3. Chicago / The Heart Of Chicago 1982-1998 II
    4. Sons Of Champlin / Live !
    5. Larry John McNally / I Love To Wake Up In New Orleans
    6. Rhythm Logic / Rhythm Logic
  • Reissues
    1. Heat / Heat
    2. Heat / Still Waiting
    3. Dan Siegel / Dan Siegel
  • Missing Pieces
    1. Chris Eaton / What Kind Of Love (Cruisin')
    2. Mark Craney & Friends / Something With A Pulse

• Noteworthy Discs of August, 1998
  • A.O.R. / West Coast Music
    1. Gino Vannelli / Slow Love
    2. Brian Wilson / Imagination
  • Country Pop Music
    1. Trisha Yearwood / Where Your Road Leads
  • Black Contemporary Music
    1. Luther Vandross / I Know
  • Fusion / Contemporary Jazz
    1. Fourplay / 4

   

RECOMMENDED DISCS OF AUGUST, 1998

• SILENT MÖBIUS ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK VOL.2 "MELODY" 

  Wait, wait , wait. I guess what you say by seeing the CD jacket on the left. The reason I recommend this Japanese animation soundtrack album here as first priority CD is that this is really good A.O.R./ West Coast Pop album in spite of the first impression of the CD jacket. This album is really full of good tunes written and performed by Joseph Williams, Tom Keane, Jason Scheff, Warren Wiebe and more.

   

 

• Label : Ayers Inc. Japan (AYCM-612)
• Release Date: July 21, 1998
• Producers: Shunji Inoue and Kaz
• Musicians (except lead vocalists)
  • Guitars: Michael Landau, Yoh'ichi Matsuo, Ryomei Shirai
  • Bass: Jason Scheff
  • Keyboards: Joseph Williams, Tom Keane, Brett Raymond, Ken'ichi Sudoh
  • Trumpets: Jerry hey, Gary Grant
  • Trombones: Bill Reichenbach
  • Sax: Larry Williams
  • Back Vocals: Tom Keane, Jason Scheff, Rick Logan, Dibby Hall, Begin
• Tracks:
  1. Can We Bring The Love In (Lead Vocal: Warren Wiebe)
  2. You Paint In The Sky (Lead Vocal: Jason Scheff)
  3. With Everything I Am (Lead Vocal: Joseph Williams)
  4. Card Shark (Lead Vocal: Marc Ferrari)
  5. Love Can Never Be Erased (Lead Vocal: Felicia Sorenson)
  6. Gone (Lead Vocal: Tom Keane)
  7. A Forbidden Pansée (Lead Vocal: Terry Wood)
  8. 'Till The End Of Time (Lead Vocal: Jason Scheff and Mica Okudoi)
  9. Silently (Lead Vocal: Karen Mok)
  10. Love Can Never Be Erased Reprise (performer: Brett Raymond)
• International Order Information

  Melody Blvd.

  Cruisin' Music at GEMM

 

• Sons Of Champlin /Live! 

  Sons of Champlin, one of the important 60's - 70's San Francisco Bay-area rock band is back! Another touch of Bill Champlin , Terry Haggerty can be listened on this live CD. Although they disbanded in 1977, they reunited for a series of Bay Area shows 20 years later now. This live album is the live performance in January 1998 at the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa USA. Joined by Mic Gilette of the Tower Of Power horns, Geoff Palmer (key, vibraphone and baritone), Dave Shallock (bass), Jim Preston (drums) and Tom Saviano, saxman of the HEAT.

   

 

• Label : Grateful Dead Records (CGCD4509)
• Release Date: July 28, 1998
• Producers: Richard Mithun with Bill Champlin and Tom Saviano
• Tracks:
  1. Fat City
  2. 1982 - A
  3. Rooftop
  4. No Mo'
  5. Black And Blue Rainbow
  6. Things Are Getting Better
  7. Get High
  8. Time Will Bring Your Love
  9. Follow Your Heart
  10. Misery Isn't Free
  11. Tobacco Road
  12. Freedom
  13. Holds On

      Melody Blvd.

      Cruisin' Music at GEMM

       

       

• CHICAGO / THE HEART OF CHICAGO 1967-1981 VOLUME 2
• CHICAGO / THE HEART OF CHICAGO 1982-1998 VOLUME 2

   

  On those two Chicago Best Hits Japanese version, you must be surprised to hear that 5 tracks of the legendary unreleased Chicago's album "Stone of Sisyphus" are published! One of which "Bigger Than Elvis" has already appeared on Euro best album "The Very Best Of Chicago", but rest of which are the first appearance on official CD. Moreover, Both albums are full of rare versions such as "Questions 67 and 68 (Japanese Version)", "Lowdown (Japanese Version)", "Street Player (Dance Mix)", "Please Hold On (Original Analog Version)" , "What You're Missing(Single Edit)", "Explain It To My Heart (Promo Single Edit Remix)", "25 Or 6 To 4 (Single Edit)", "We Can't Last Forever (Remix)" and "Along Comes Woman (Dance Mix)". Needless to say, 2 new tunes appeared on US version are included on 1982-1998 CD. Why don't you hesitate to buy those even if they costs expensive because of Japanese import? Worth buying!!

   

  1967-1981

• Label: Teichiku Records, Japan (TEXW-2427)
• Release Date: July 25, 1998
• Tracks:
  1. All The Years <from the unreleased album "Stone Of Sisyphus">
  2. Call On Me
  3. Another Rainy Day In New York City
  4. Questions 67 And 68 <Japanese Version>
  5. Thunder And Lightning
  6. Harry Truman
  7. No Tell Lover
  8. Sleeping In The Middle Of The Bed Again <from the unreleased album "Stone Of Sisyphus">
  9. Feelin' Stronger Every Day
  10. Colour My World
  11. Lowdown <Japanese Version>
  12. Dialogue (Part I & II)
  13. Take Me Back To Chicago
  14. Street Player <Dance Mix>
  15. Prologue, August 29, 1968 ~ Someday (August 29, 1968)

1982-1998

• Label: Warner Music, Japan (WPCR-1940)
• Release Date: July 25, 1998
• Tracks:
  1. All Roads Lead To You <New Tune>
  2. Niagara Falls
  3. The Pull <from the unreleased album "Stone Of Sisyphus">
  4. Here With Me <from the unreleased album "Stone Of Sisyphus">
  5. You Come To My Senses
  6. Please Hold On <Original Analog Version>
  7. Show Me A Sign <New Tune>
  8. Bigger Than Elvis <from the unreleased album "Stone Of Sisyphus">
  9. What You're Missing <Single Edit>
  10. Forever
  11. Explain It To My Heart <Promo Single Edit Remix>
  12. 25 Or 6 To 4 <Single Edit>
  13. We Can Last Forever <Remix>
  14. Along Comes A Woman <Dance Mix>
  15. Hard To Say I'm Sorry / Get Away
• International Order Information:

  Melody Blvd.

  Cruisin' Music at GEMM

   

• LARRY JOHN McNALLY / I LOVE TO WAKE UP IN NEW ORLEANS

   

  This is the mini album of Larry John McNally since he had released his 3rd album "Vibrolux". Larry says on the CD liner notes that New Orleans has always been a favorite place of his and he made this mini album of 4 songs dedicated to the city. "I Love To Wake Up In New Orleans" is the song for his friend whose comments were "Where's the Voodoo, where's the dark side?"

• Label: Larry John McNally Music
• Release Date: June, 1998
• Producer: Marvin Etzioni and himself
• Musicians:
  • Drums and Percussion: Denny McDermott, Don Heffington
  • Bass: Lincoln Schleifer, Jerry Scheff
  • Hammond Organ and Wuritzer Piano: Danny Louis
  • Horns: <The Uptown Horns> Crispin Cioe, Arno Hecht, Bob Funk, Larry Etkin
• Tracks:
  1. I Love To Wake Up In New Orleans
  2. Goodbye To Chinatown
  3. Long Drag Off A Cigarette
  4. Manic Depression
• International Order Information:
  • If you need more information regarding Larry John McNally and/or order this album, please contact Larry John McNally Official Website.

• RHYTHM LOGIC / RHYTHM LOGIC

   

  Rhythm Logic is the band project of 4 Los Angeles based good Contemporary Jazz musicians. Good Melodies, Good Groove and more on this project. 10 tunes appeared on this album must feel you satisfied not only LOGICALLY but also emotionally! You can enjoy 3 vocal tunes such as " I. G. Y." originally performed by Donald Fagen, "Fantasy" originally performed by Earth, Wind & Fire and "The First Time" originally performed by Surf ice.

• Label: Videoarts Music, Japan (VACM-1125)
• Release Date: June 23, 1998
• Rhythm Logic is:
  • Drums: Michael White
  • Keyboards: Brian Simpson
  • Bass: Dwayne Smith
  • Guitar: Ron Smith
• Guest Musicians:
  • Percussion: Brian Kilgore, Munyungo Jackson, Freddie E. White
  • Sax: Albert Wing, Andre Robeson
  • Trumpet: Walt Fowler, Michael Harris, Rahmlee Michael Davis
  • Trombone: Steve Baxter
  • Lead Vocals: Maysa Leak (Track2 & 5), Alex Brown & Bridgette Bryant Fiddmont (Track 7)
  • Background Vocals: Phil Perry, Liz Hougue, Kim Brewer, Bernard Jackson
• Tracks:
  1. Tuesday Love
  2. I.G.Y. (International Geophysical Year)
  3. Logically Speaking
  4. Full Speed
  5. Fantasy
  6. You Know I Will
  7. Take Me Away!
  8. A Portrait Of Passion
  9. Beverly
  10. The First Time

• HEAT / HEAT
• HEAT/ STILL WAITING

  Heat is one of Legendary Group in the early 80's. Tom Saviano, recently well-known as the sax player of Bill Champlin's Band had completed this perfect album supported by the great Westcoast musicians. He is also known as the producer for Melissa Manchester's late 70's works or one of good songwriters for Sheena Easton and/or Chicago etc. Heat released another album titled "Still Waiting" in 1984. Both albums are reissued on CD with several rare mix versions as bonus tracks at last. Dream came true!

  "HEAT"

• Label : Cool Sound Inc. (COOL-009) <originally released by MCA>
• Release Date: July 20, 1998 (Original Release Year: 1980)
• Producers: Tom Saviano and David Wolfert
• Heat are:
  • Jean Marie Gold- Vocals
  • Joe Pizzulo - Vocals
  • Tom Saviano - Sax, Keyboards, Background Vocals
• Musicians:
  • Guitars: Paul Jackson Jr., Thom Rotella, Charles Fearing
  • Bass: Eddy Watkins Jr., Neil Stubenhaus
  • Keyboards: Jay Winding, David Foster, Victor Feldman
  • Synthesizer: Steve Porcaro
  • Drums: James Gadson, Ed Greene, Harvey Mason
  • Percussion: Lenny Castro
  • Trumpets: Steve Madaio, Judd Miller, Ralph Rickert, Jerry Hey, Chuck Findley
  • Trombones: Dick "Slyde" Hyde, Bill Reichenbach, Doug Wintz
  • Bass Trombone: Phil Teele
  • Background Vocals: Arnold McCullough
• Tracks:
  1. Just Like You
  2. It's Up To You
  3. This Love That We 've Found
  4. Don't you Walk Away
  5. Pickin' And Coosin'
  6. Whatever It Is
  7. Side Steppin'
  8. Billet Doux
  9. Just Like You <Single Edit>
  10. Just Like You <Dance Mix>
  11. Baby (This Love That We've Found) <Single Edit>

   

"STILL WAITING"

• Label : Cool Sound Inc. (COOL-010) <originally released by MCA>
• Release Date: July 20, 1998 (Original Release Year: 1981)
• Producer: Tom Saviano
• Heat are:
  • Jean Marie Arnold - Vocals
  • Ed Whiting - Vocals
  • Tom Saviano - Sax, Keyboards, Background Vocals
• Additional Musicians:
  • Guitars: Paul Jackson Jr., Thom Rotella, Vinny Cusano, Pat Kelly, John Hunt
  • Bass: Eddy Watkins Jr., Neil Stubenhaus, Bill Bodine
  • Keyboards: Jay Winding, David Diggs, Barnaby Finch
  • Drums: James Gadson, Ed Greene, Hugh Morran
  • Background Vocals: Joe Pizzulo
• Tracks:
  1. Still Waiting
  2. Follow You Home
  3. Take Me There
  4. Give It A Chance
  5. Don't Waste A Minute
  6. Regina
  7. Keep On Moving
  8. Solarisis
  9. Still Waiting <Single Edit>
  10. Follow You Home <Single Edit>

      Melody Blvd.

      Cruisin' Music at GEMM

      ---

   

• DAN SIEGEL / DAN SIEGEL

   

  Dan Siegel, Los Angeles based keyboard player is one of the real L.A. sound creators. However he is not native L.A. residents, he moved from Oregon in 1983 after releasing this album. This album is his 3rd album featuring quite many top Los Angeles based session musicians such as Larry Carlton and Tom Scott. Dan Siegel instrumental music is a kind of bible essential for Smooth Jazz in 90's.

• Label: eastwest japan (AMCY-2785) <Originally released by Electra/Asylum Records>
• Release Date: July 25, 1998 (Original Release Year: 1982)
• Producer: Himself
• Guest Musicians:
  • Drums: Moyes Lucas Jr., John Robinson
  • Bass: Rob Thomas, Abraham Laboriel
  • Guitars: Paul Jackson. Jr., Larry Carlton, Marlon McLain
  • Sax: Tom Scott, Jeff Homan
  • Trumpet: Tom Brown
  • Flugelhorn: Mark Hatch
  • Percussion: Lenny Castro
• Tracks:
  1. Great Expectations
  2. Enchanted Forest
  3. Uptown
  4. Soaring
  5. The Long Ranger
  6. Touch And Go
  7. Deserted Beach
  8. Passing Time
  9. The Conqueror

   

• CHRIS EATON / WHAT KIND OF LOVE

Chris Eaton is one of the important singer song writers in the Contemporary Christian Music Scene. His 1st solo album "Vision" is one of the best Westcoast Pop album in mid 80's, which was supported by many Westcoast session musicians. And then we had to wait for 8 years until his 2nd album "Wonderful World" in 1995. As far as listening to his 2nd solo album, his music has been changed to more relaxed one. And on this 3rd solo album he plays in gentle atmosphere comparing with that of his 1st album but is full of good melodies more than his 2nd. In late fall of 1997, this album has been released in United Kingdom as the album titled "Cruisin'" under Alliance Music UK. And in April, 1998 this album is on sale also in the United States by changing the title to "What Kind Of Love" with different CD cover artworks.

 

 

 

• Label : Alliance Music, UK (UK: ALD100, USA: 2-46897) / Cool Sound Inc, Japan (COOL-063)
• Release Date: November, 1997 (UK), April 28, 1998 (USA), January 10, 2001 (Japan)
• Producer: Himself
• Musicians:
  • Drums: Greg Herrington
  • Bass: Mark Hill
  • Guitars: Peter Brookes, Neil Costello, Morph, Roscoe Meek
  • Programming: Mark Edwards
  • Flutes: Troy Donockley
  • Backing Vocals: Carla Hayes, Tracy Riggan, Marlene Kerr
• Tracks:
  1. Old Friends
  2. That's What Faith Is For
  3. Boat Of Devotion
  4. Shooting Stards
  5. God So Loved The World
  6. Ordinary People
  7. What Kind Of Love
  8. Take My Heart
  9. Wherever I Go
  10. The Highest Honour
  11. Cruisin' <hidden track> 
• International Order Information:

  Melody Blvd.

  Cruisin' Music at GEMM

• MARK CRANEY & FRIENDS / SOMETHING WITH A PULSE

  Mark Craney is well-known recording and touring drummer who works with many artists such as Tower Of Power, Gino Vannelli, Jeff Beck, the late Tommy Bolin, Jean-Luc Ponty. His kidneys failed in 1986 and therefore he received a kidney transplant in March 1988. Mark rehabilitated himself and began playing the drums again in 1989. From 1993 to October of 1996, Mark traveled around the world with the Eric Burdon Band in spite that his transplanted kidney failed. He is obliged to leave the road because of exhaustion. He awaits a double kidney and pancreas transplant. This compilation CD is made for the purpose of assisting in Mark's recovery by his friends.

   

  one of the performers, Mark's Brothers should be remarked. Bill Champlin plays Hammond Organ and furthermore he takes lead vocal on the track " They Don't Make 'em Like They Used To" written by Bill Champlin and Andreas Carlson.

   

• Label : Laughing Gull Records, USA (LG002)
• Release Year: 1997
• Producer: Mark Craney
• Tracks:
  1. Jethro Tull - Black Sunday (live)
  2. Eric Burdon - I'm Your Man
  3. Tower Of Power - What Is Hip? (live)
  4. Mark's Brothers - Listen To Your Heart
  5. Gino Vannelli - Brother To Brother (live)
  6. Talking Drums - Guaramina (expert)
  7. Fairport Convention - Slipjigs And Reels
  8. Mike Keneally - Craney
  9. Miller/Carney/Miller - Blockhead (live)
  10. Terry Bozzio - Klangfarben Melodie
  11. Mark's Brothers - They Don't Make 'em Like They Used To
  12. Thread - Hands For Jeffrey
  13. James Taylor - New Hymn (live)

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

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