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.

Contents

• Recommended Discs of This Month (Back to latest monthly recommendation)
• Recommended Discs of September, 1997
  • New Releases
    1. Michael Thompson / The World According To M.T.
    2. Lauren Wood / Lauren Wood
    3. David Garfield and Friends / Tribute To Jeff
  • Missing Pieces
    1. Allan Thomas / The Island
    2. Allan Thomas / Coconut Culture

RECOMMENDED DISCS OF SEPTEMBER, 1997

• MICHAEL THOMPSON / THE WORLD ACCORDING TO M.T. <ACM Rating: >

One of the important guitarist on the AOR scene, Michael Thompson has now released his solo album titled "The World According to M.T.". You may feel "What? Jeff Beck's solo album? Or, heavy Blues album such as the one of Steve Lukather?" when you start to listen to 1st track "Intro".. Don't worry! No, this album sounds A.O.R taste and Fusion taste with some good vocal featured numbers. Very good album not only for AOR fan but also for Fusion Fan. I believe the sound variety on the album really reflects "Various aspects of The World of Michael Thompson".

• Label: Cocoa-Butt Music (distributed by OFB in USA) ( IRS 992.035 distributed by Intercord Record Service in Germany, Austria and Switzerland)
• Release Date: July, 1997 (copyright and Production: 1996)
• Producer: Himself
• Musicians:
  • Bass: Neil Stubenhaus, Jimmy Earl, Stan Sargeant, Stanley Clarke
  • Drums: Gregg Bissonette, Gary Fergusson, Kevin Cloud, Walfredo Reyes Jr.
  • Keyboards: John Andrew Schreiner, Jim Lang
  • Trumpet: Gary Grant
  • Sax: Dave Boruff
  • Percussion: Luis Conte, Walfredo Reyes Jr, Stanley Benders
  • Lead Vocals: Bobby Womack, Jennelle Sadler, Mark Spiro
• Tracks:
  1. Intro
  2. Sajabelle
  3. A Change Is Gonna Come (lead vocal: Bobby Womack)
  4. Chocolate-White
  5. Diamonds
  6. Goodnight Moon
  7. Miracles (lead vocal: Jennelle Sadler)
  8. Dark
  9. Zoobie-Dee
  10. Midwestern Sky (lead vocal: Mark Spiro)
  11. Hey M.T.
  12. The Real Book

• Order Information:

 

This CD is distributed by Mag2 /OFB CD shop in U.S.A. You can get this CD directly from them.

 

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

• LAUREN WOOD / LAUREN WOOD <ACM Rating: >

Do you remember the song "Fallen" which is used in the movie "Pretty Woman"(1990)? The female singer who performs that good tune is Lauren Wood. Lauren Wood completed and release her first solo album "Lauren Wood" with the great guest musicians such as Michael McDonald, Pat Simmons, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Lukather, Bill Champlin, Jay Graydon and many many more. On her second album"Cat Trick", you can find out the hit tune written by Lauren and covered by famous artists such as "In The Dark" performed by Lani Hall, "Breakin' Too Many Hearts" and "Fallen" performed by Nicolette Larson on her album "In The Nick Of Time" (1979). Yes, she also comes back with this brand-new album including self-remaking version of "Fallen" at last.

• Label: Pioneer LDC, Japan (PICP-1148)
• Release Date: August 27, 1997
• Producer: Ron Cohen, Michael Verdick, Kim Bullard and herself
• Musicians:
  • Guitars: Ron Cohen, Grant Geissman, Craig Jones, Larry Treadwell
  • Bass: Bob Brich, Larry Tuttle, Matt Bissonette, Burleigh Drummond, Lindsay Tomasic, Kim Bullard
  • Drums: Greg Bissonette, Kim Bullard, Scott Jackson
  • Cowbell/Tambourine: Arno Lucas
  • Violas: Novi
  • Cello: Kevin Buck
  • Percussion: Debra Dobkin
  • Background Vocals: Ron Cohen, Sydney Forest, Linda Verdick, Alex Brooks, Linsey Tomasic
• Tracks:
  1. Electric Eyes
  2. All I Need
  3. Do It Yourself
  4. Evidently
  5. Soul Searchin'
  6. Twisted Reality
  7. Still Not Over You
  8. But You Are
  9. I'm Usually Obsessed
  10. Back In Time
  11. The Big House
  12. 5 Years 26 Days & 8 Hours
  13. Fallen

• DAVID GARFIELD AND FRIENDS / TRIBUTE TO JEFF <ACM Rating: >

This album has been released in March 1997 in Japan and I have already reviewed this CD as monthly recommended discs at that time. Now, US version is just on sale under Zebra Records and European version is also on sale under Intercord Record Service! Boz Scaggs' "Lowdown", Steely Dan's "Babylon Sisters" and Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" are played as tribute songs to the late Jeff Porcaro, greatest drummer.

• Label: Sweeca (Japan: Pony Canyon, Japan PCCY-1103) (USA: Zebra Records ZD44005) (Germany, Austria & Switzerland: Intercord Record Service 484486-2)
• Release Date: March 21, 1997 (JAPAN)
• Musicians:
  • Keyboards: David Garfield, David Paich, Steve Porcaro, James Newton Howard, Joe Sample, Benmont Tench, Mike Finnigan, Greg Phillinganes, Michael Boddicker, Greg Mathieson, David Benoit
  • Drums: Carlos Vega, Steve Ferrone, Greg Bissonette, Steve Gadd, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Wickel, Richard Hayward, Jim Keltner, Steve Jordan, Abraham Laboriel Jr., Simon Phillips, Joe Porcaro, Tris Imboden, Richie Hayward, Bernard Purdie
  • Percussion: Lenny Castro, Luis Conte, Michito Sanchez, Chris Trujillo, Luis Enrique, Chris Porcaro, Miles Porcaro, Nico Porcaro, Chase Porcaro Duddy, Peter Erskine, John Guerin, Ralph Humphrey, John Ferraro, Michito Sanchez
  • Guitars: David T. Walker, Michael Landau, Steve Lukather, David Williams, Paul Jackson Jr., Eddie Van Halen, Denny Dias, Jay Graydon, Larry Carlton, Paul Barrere, Fred Tackett
  • Bass: Jimmy Johnson, Nathan East, Freddy Washington, Will Lee, Chuck Domanico, John Pena, Jimmy Haslip, Neil Stubenhaus, Lee Sklar, Abe Laboriel Sr., Mike Porcaro, David Hungate
  • Sax: Larry Klimas, Michael Paulo, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, Brandon Fields, Bob Sheppard
  • Vibraphone: Emi Richards
  • Trumpet: Walt Fowler
  • Trumpet & Flugelhorn: Jerry Hey
  • Back Vocals: Don Henley, Richard Marx, David Pack, Bill Champlin, Jason Scheff, Joseph Williams, Eddie Van Halen
• Tracks:
  1. E Minor Shuffle
  2. Let's Stay Together (Lead Vocals: Paulette Brown, Michael McDonald & David Pack, Chorus Vamp: Don Henley & Richard Marx)
  3. Twenty-One Drum Salute
  4. Lowdown
  5. If Six Was Nine (Lead Vocals: Michael Landau & Will Lee)
  6. Bag's Groove
  7. My Heart Wants To Know (Lead Vocals: Jason Scheff)
  8. It Takes A Lot To Laugh, It Takes A Train To City (Lead Vocals: Boz Scaggs)
  9. Babylon Sisters
  10. Stuffy
  11. Jeff's Strut
  12. Big Bone
  13. Long Time No Groove

The following 2 CDs are really recommendable CDs which I don't know their existence. So, I would let you know these CDs as missing pieces to be recommended here.

Allan Thomas is the singer-songwriter-guitarist who lives on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Allan Thomas' career began in his native New York City. At age 18, he signed his first record deal, releasing two singles on Scepter Records. In 1971, Thomas' first album, "A Picture," was released by Sire Records.Then,Thomas moved to the Hawaiian Islands.

You can get more info including sound flies and order information at the Official website of Alan Thomas. The Allan Thomas Page

• ALLAN THOMAS / THE ISLAND <ACM Rating: >

• Label: Black Bamboo Records (BBCD-210)
• Release Date: 1990
• Producer: Stephen Barncard
• Musicians:
  • Guitars: Brian Kessler
  • Slide Guitars: Zeke Zirngiebel
  • Bass: Cliff Hugo
  • Drums: Rick Schlosser
  • Keyboards: Michael Ruff, Russel Ferrante
  • Electronic Wind Instrument: Judd Miller
  • Background Vocals: Michael Ruff, Leslie Smith, Joe Turano, Nancy Shanks, Valerie Carter
• Tracks:
  1. Hold On Tightly
  2. Our Little Secret
  3. Across Blue Water
  4. WindRider
  5. The Island
  6. No Win Situation
  7. Yes or No
  8. In My Automobile
  9. Love or Something Like it
  10. Kindred Spirits

• ALLAN THOMAS/ COCONUT CULTURE <ACM Rating: >

• Label: Black Bamboo Records (BBCD-212)
• Release Date: 1997
• Producer: Mike Shipley
• Musicians:
  • Slide Guitars: Ken Emerson
  • Bass: Dave Inamine, Rick "The Bass Player" Rosas, Clif Hugo
  • Drums & Percussion: Mike Shipley
  • Keyboards: Michael Ruff, Rick Avalon
  • Vocals: Graham Nash
• Tracks:
  1. Kai Mana
  2. Coconut Culture
  3. Navigator
  4. Island Girl
  5. Homeland
  6. You Take My Breath Away
  7. Ka Wai Aloha
  8. Halfway 'Round the World
  9. The Way of the Heart
  10. Everybody Gets the Blues
  11. I'll Find You Yet

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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