PARIS BLACK - Paris Black (1990)

Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...

Singer of European origin but established in Canada, PARIS BLACK (seems to be his real name) released this self-titled album - his second - in 1990, as far I know only in North America.
According to the era with solo artists, the idea was to provide a solid backbone of session musicians and skilled songwriters, a pristine production, and an overall commercial sound.
"Paris Black" is a typical product from the late '80s with a Hi-Tech / light AOR sound, and while these genres have been previously presented on the blog, this should be the more poppy CD ever posted here.

As said, Paris got song contributions from the likes of Michael Bolton, Bob Halligan Jnr, The Arrows' Dean McTaggart, Diane Warren, David Roberts and more, so there's good penned music on offer here.
Paris' vocals are smooth & clean, and the general arrangements are centered around synths, lots of synths, electronic drums, light guitars and nice backing vocals. Think Rod McInnes, Keven Jordan, Alan Frew solo, but even more light.
There's upbeat numbers, some breezy ballads and a couple of danceable tracks that I don't care much, but all really pleasant, working great as background music.



"Paris Black" is a cool album, really well produced with 'that' clinical precision, nothing outstanding yet enjoyable nonetheless.
Never reissued, it has become a rarity scarcely ever seen at auction sites.


01 - Conspiracy
02 - Heaven Sent
03 - My Heart Is Still Young
04 - Letting Go
05 - Barely In Love
06 - Danced In My Direction
07 - I Don't Wanna Be Your Friend
08 - Bang Bang
09 - Don't Say Goodnight
10 - If I Could Dance With You
11 - Every Emotion

Paris Black - Vocals
Richard Buck, Guido Diodati, Mark Berry - Keyboards, Bass, Drums, Percussion
Larry Mancini - Guitars
John Bianchini - Guitars, Mandolin
George Orphanos - Guitars, Side Guitar
Valerie Hallman - Vocals (duet on 3)
Martin Davio - Sax
Kenny MacLean (Platinum Blonde), Lorraine Scott, Marcia English, Dean McTaggart, Keith Powers, Paris Black - Back-Up Vocals




PARIS BLACK - ST (1990)
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