Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...Based in Spokane, Washington state, quartet MANITO PARK took their name from the recreation park located in their city. The band toured the area since the late eighties and recorded & released independently this rich in harmonies self-titled CD in 1991.MANITO PARK's music is American AOR but in its more Melodic Rock side akin Nelson, Bystander, Beau Coup, Biloxi, Roxanne and many more.There's hook-laden catchy cuts like "Surrender", "Fool For Yesterday", "Bridges Burning", and lovable rockin' AOR cuts in "Like Forever", "Ariel" and the keyboard-filled mid-tempo "Daydreamer", all adorned with huge harmony vocals.On the balladry side, we have two top class AOR gems in "One Last Look", a wonderful tune complete with pianos & acoustics, and the Elefante brothers-like "Send A Miracle". Three of the tracks are short intros/interludes, and there's also two acoustic-only songs; the melodic vocally layered "Oh Father" and the fun "Idaho Eyes".
Although the indie production is clearly low budget, the songcraft in Manito Park is excellent which turned this album a much sought after piece by AOR / Melodic Rock fans and collectors.This is not the bad-tracked rip floating the web, it's taken from the original gold-plated CD including artwork.Rare & Good.01 - Bridges Prelude02 - Girl In Green03 - Surrender04 - One Last Look05 - Like Forever06 - Idaho Eyes07 - Daydreamer08 - Fool For Yesterday09 - Oh Father10 - Ariel11 - Duet12 - Down On Sunday13 - Stumpy's Choice14 - Send A Miracle15 - Bridges BurningDave Dupree - lead vocals, keyboardsBob Burdett - guitars, backing vocalsLars Ziemba - bass, backing vocalsRusty Knorr - drumsMANITO PARK (1991).
Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...Today I bring to you a true rarity requested by a reader; the Maryland indie outfit THE LIMIT and their only (?) album "Dysfunction".The band was formed in the nineties recording and releasing the album independently at the end of the decade, being promoted at the now legendary (and extinct) mp3.com site, one of the first places where you were able to find music on this format at the very beginning of the internet. Also served as an important platform for indie acts like The Limit to sell their CD's.The Limit's style is strongly inspired by the '80s commercial US Melodic Rock sound and AORish radio friendly tunes with nice harmonies and very melodious arrangements. The dynamic catchy opener "Rejecting Healthy" reminds me US cult rockers Neverland (Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey soundtrack), followed by the slang-named "Schweet Thang" driven by jumpin' rhythm guitars in the vein of Canadians The Works."Keep My Heart Open" is the first ballad and one of the highlights, with a graceful melodic line like Passion Street (UK band), a simple but rewarding slow tune with pianos and synths in the background. Then the light melodic rocker "What If" adds some Boston (Tom Scholz) feel specially on the guitar arrangements and during the harmonized choruses."Waiting For Goodbye" is another favourite, a midtempo stylized AOR number where the guitar lines and keyboard fills brings to mind Journey and even Scottish Strangeways. Uptempo rocker "Wrestle The Wind" has some early Night Ranger written over it, same later on "Regret", where the melodic guitar hooks takes the centre scene.A new highlight arrives with the midtempo AOR of "Leah's Lie", where Freddy Curci's Alias meets Mark Free's solo albums, followed by the other ballad on the CD, the very good "Heaven Doesn't Want Me" mixing acoustic guitars with keys ala Sheriff (again, Freddy Curci) and some REO Speedwagon.The album ends full on rockin' AOR / Melodic Rock style with "We All Fall Down", once again with a Night Ranger touch and perhaps some Loverboy.With a more than a decent production for an indie, The Limit blends all the classic influences mentioned above with their own personal stamp resulting in the really enjoyable album that is "Dysfunction".Rare as a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model photo shoot in Alaska, The Limit's "Dysfunction" is a really nice addition to your Melodic Rock rarities collection.01 - Rejecting Healthy02 - Schweet Thang03 - Keep My Heart Open04 - What If05 - Waiting For Goodbye06 - Wrestle The Wind07 - Leah's Lie08 - Heaven Doesn't Want Me09 - Regret10 - We All Fall DownJim House Jr. - Lead Vocals, GuitarTim Haines - Guitar, Backing VocalsMike Duncan - Bass, Keyboards, Backing VocalsKent Beeghly - Drums, PercussionTHE LIMIT - Dysfunction 1999.
Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...Guitarist, singer & songwriter JON BUTCHER born in Alaska, but he started making some noise in the Boston area at the beginning of the eighties. His six-string style was often compared to Jimi Hendrix, not only for his playing, but also for being a young afro-american musician naming his group Axis, a reference to a Hendrix album title.However, at the middle of the decade Butcher was signed by Capitol and he and the label decided to change the musical approach to the polished Melodic Rock so in vogue in the US.By the time of this "Pictures From The Front" - Butcher's fifth album and the third for Capitol - there was not traces of Hendrix, not even on the moniker, as it was released under the 'Jon Butcher' name.Although not 'strictly' Melodic Rock (as it fuses some bluesy overtones) "Pictures From The Front" is a rock album with a strong AOR feel as well mainly due to the glossy production courtesy of the team Spencer Proffer (Cheap Trick, Heart, Eddie Money) and Glenn Ballard (Jack Wagner, Aerosmith, Toto) who also arranged the whole thing and co-wrote some songs.The new Jon Butcher band for this album - and successful tours to come - included talented bassist Jaimie Carter, solid drummer Ronnie Lee Sage and complete musician Thom Gimbel (later in Foreigner) who provides a solid foundation of keyboards and rhythm guitars.Butcher sings with emotion and style (sometimes remembering Robin Trower) but what shines on this record is his terrific, tasteful guitar playing sporting a monster typical '80s tone and a lot of high gain in his set-up sound.
All songs are good, being my favorites the urgent, Foreigner-like "Might As Well Be Free" driven by sharp riffs, a thunderous rhythm section and crowned by a crazy solo, and the anthemic "Live Or Die", recalling Kane Roberts solo albums.Out of print and not so-easy-to-find at good quality out there, this is a "Pictures From The Front" rip taken from my own collection.01 - I'm Only Dreaming02 - Might As Well Be Free03 - Live Or Die04 - 99 (May Be All You Need)05 - Beating Drum06 - The Mission07 - Send Me Somebody08 - Division Street09 - Come And Get It10 - Waiting For A MiracleGuitar, Lead & Backing Vocals – Jon ButcherKeyboards, Guitar & Backing Vocals – Thom GimbelBass – Jamie Carter, Jamie HuntingDrums, Percussion, Backing Vocals – Ronnie Lee SageAdditional Keyboards – Glen BallardBacking Vocals – Jamie Carter, Timothy B. SchmitJON BUTCHER Pictures From The Front.
1989 was the best year ever for the Melodic Rock / AOR genre. The most precious records appeared at that time and unfortunately many bands without a major label support promoting their releases get sunken into oblivion.One of these was Swiss ULTRANITE only album "I Want My Own Planet".All members from Ultranite worked previously in central Europe on different bands and writing songs for others, as Andy Boulton's Tokyo Blade or Andy Marc.The type of Melodic Rock crafted by Ultranite has many points in common with the Scandinavian scene, especially in the AOR keyboard infusions into the music.
We have some great, melodic fist-pumping anthems like "Hot As The Summer", "Thank You" and " Long Live The Nite" (featuring Krokus' Marc Storace guesting on vocals) akin Zinatra, Aidean or Fate.There's diversity as well, as on the little Hi-Tech "Little Angel" recalling Germans Craaft, and nice Swedish power ballads in "Streets Of Rome" and "Lost For Ever". 
Very rare and hard to find on CD, Ultranite's "I Want My Own Planet" is one of my favourite 'obscure 1989' releases. It was featured on many blogs and forums, but not in such good quality.This is a HQ rip from my own CD complete with full scans.01 - Summerworld02 - Time Will Tell03 - Tender Love04 - Hot As The Summer05 - Little Angel06 - Long Live The Nite07 - Streets Of Rome08 - Thank You09 - Lost For Ever10 - CathedralPeter Prestel - Guitar, VocalsMartin Machwitz - Keyboards, Backing VocalsMike Sullivan - Bass, Backing VocalsArne Flick - Drums, Backing VocalsErdal Kizilcay - add. Bass, ProductionMarc Storace - Lead Vocals on 6ULTRANITE I Want My Own Planet HQ.
The great Michael Bolotin (his given name) most known as MICHAEL BOLTON wrote some classic rockin' AOR masterpieces before turning a middle-aged women oriented MOR crooner.Of his four eighties records, undoubtedly "Everybody's Crazy" is the best of all: pulsating bass and keyboard lines, rocking guitars and catchy choruses wrapped around Bolton's powerful, emotional lead vocals.The drums on this album are bombastic - just the way I like - performed by ex- Rainbow Chuck Burgi (uncredited on the original release, but listed on the reissue), all perfectly recorded by genius producer Neil Kernon.
This little gem was already featured at the very beginning of this blog, and now re-posted by request as incredibly, isn't that easy to find in the blogosphere. Even less in its remastered form.One of the best '80s AOR albums.01 - Save Our Love02 - Everybody's Crazy03 - Can't Turn It Off04 - Call My Name05 - Everytime06 - Desperate Heart07 - Start Breaking My Heart08 - You Don't Want Me Bad Enough09 - Don't Tell Me It's OverMichael Bolton - lead vocals, guitarsBruce Kulick - lead guitarDennis Feldman - bass, backing vocalsChuck Burgi - drumsMark Mangold, Mark Radice, Jan Mullaney - keyboardsLarry Fast - synthesizersSchuyler Deale - additional bassNeil Kernon and Doug Katsaros - additional keyboardsPeppy Castro, Terry Brock - backing vocals... and many moreMICHAEL BOLTON Everybody's Crazy Remastered.
Well, this is really simple to describe: none AOR collection is complete without AIRPLAY sole release from 1980. And this site does not deserve to be called AORheaven without it.A gem concocted by the genius of Jay Graydon, David Foster and the incredible Tommy Funderburk, featured as backing session musicians almost the entire Toto; Jeff Porcaro, Steve Lukather, David Hungate, Steve Porcaro among other beasts like Mike Baird on drums or Bill Champlin doing backing vocals.
This remastered, Japanese 30th Anniversary Edition Blue-spec CD, needless to say, really makes justice to this awesome record. Mini LP replica with all the original artwork.As said, essential in your collection.01 - Stranded02 - Cryin' All Night03 - It Will Be Alright04 - Nothin' You Can Do About It05 - Should We Carry On06 - Leave Me Alone07 - Sweet Body08 - Bix09 - She Waits For Me10 - After The Love Is GoneTommy Funderburk: vocalsJay Graydon: guitar, vocalsDavid Foster: keyboards
Jeff Porcaro, Mike Baird: drumsDavid Hungate: bassSteve Lukather: add. rhythm guitarsSteve Porcaro, Pete Robinson: synthesizerRay Parker, Jr.: additional rhythm guitarsJerry Hey, Gary Grant, Steve Madaio & more: hornsBill Champlin, Tom Kelly, Max Gronenthal: backing vocalsAIRPLAY 1980 remasteredpw:Camelblue.
To complete the previous re-post, here's the other Noriyuki Makihara's American 'WestCoast tribute' CD released simultaneously in 2007: "Songs From N.Y.", presented for the first time on this blog.Again the 'who is who' from the WestCoast / AOR scene were recruited to perform Makihara's songs translated to English, this time arranged with a 'New York' scent.Now we have Peter Beckett (PLAYER), Alex Ligertwood (METRO), Kelly Keagy (NIGHT RANGER), Richard Page (Mr. MISTER) and Mark Jordan amongst other lead singers, accompanied by talented session musicians not only from the Californian scene, but also from Nashville and New York.Production and performances are top notch, a relaxing album to enjoy these gifted voices and light AOR / smooth WestCoast / poppy songs.Japan release only.01 - Tom Keane: Star Ferry02 - Nathan East: 24hr Supermarket03 - Frankie Jordan: Such A Lovely Place04 - Alex Ligertwood: Far Away, Far Away05 - Stephen Bishop: Anytime I Want To06 - Bill Cantos: Milk07 - Peter Beckett: Stripe!08 - Kelly Keagy: Penguin09 - Mark Jordan: Happy Dance10 - Richard Page: Tag Team11 - Jamie Jones: On This Winter NightKeyboards: Tom Keane, Bob James, Timothy DruryGuitar: Charlie Mangold, Aaron Fleming, Hiram Bullock Piano: Don GrusinBass: Will Lee, Eric Stern, Nate Brown, Drums: Omar Hakim, Vinnie ColaiutaStrings: Matt Funes, Alyssa Park, Eric HoslerBackground Vocals: Jill Dell' Abate, Terry Wood, Bernadetta Barlow, Bill Cantos, Joseph Williams... and many moreNORIYUKI MAKIHARA Songs From N.Y. (2007).
Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...Re-post from years ago, get it while it's hotNoriyuki Makihara is a top Japanese male pop artist who debuted in the early '90s as songwriter / performer in a local TV show similar to American Idol. Makihara's singles ranked in the top 10 on all Asian charts, and he has managed to maintain a high level of popularity for almost 20 years.Many of his songs have been translated into other languages like the ones featured in this compilation "Songs From L.A.", some kind of a 'WestCoast tribute'.
La crème de la crème of the genre was recruited for the recording; singers such as Tommy Funderburk (AIRPLAY), Bobby Kimball & Joseph Williams (TOTO), Jason Scheff & Bill Champlin (CHICAGO), Tom Keane (DAVID FOSTER, R. MARX), Bobby Caldwell and first class session-men like Michael Landau, Tim Pierce, etc.Production and performances are top notch, a relaxing album to enjoy these gifted voices and light AOR / smooth WestCoast / poppy songs.Japan release only.01 - Bobby Caldwell: Answer02 - Tommy Funderburk: Darling03 - George Duke: Yes04 - Jason Scheff: Love Letter05 - Robbie Dupree: Under The Doogwood Tree06 - Kim Carnes: It's Clear Sky Again Today07 - Joseph Williams: You're My Angel Falling...08 - Justin Andres: 'Cause You're My Treasure09 - Bill Champlin: North Wind10 - Timothy Drury: Home Sweet Home11 - Bobby Kimball: Red Nose ReindeerKeyboards: Tom Keane, Timothy DruryGuitars: Michael Landau, Tim Pierce, Michael KonanBass: Leland "Lee" Sklar, Noel Freeman, Justin AndresDrums: Stephan Litownick, Larry WilliamsBacking Vocals: Terry Wood, Joseph Williams, Wendy Fraser, Jason Scheff, Justin Andres and many more...NORIYUKI MAKIHARA Songs From L.A..
Requested in "REQUEST & FILL CORNER" section...MINDWORK born from the ashes of one of the best Austrian AOR band ever; Fahrenheit.Drummer & main songwriter Harold Huber and singer Johnny Kanatschnig decided to go for more poppy, Lite AOR sounds on their debut "Inside Out" still retaining high doses of melody and harmonies.Strongly keyboard oriented but in a stylized way some tracks sport a Hi-Tech style, and while the overall sound is typically European, you can hear traces from the Canadian scene around the era.
There's suave melodies on friendly tunes like "Welcome To My Paradise", "Masters Of Success", "Chinese Wall" or the elegant "Gloria", but my favorite should be the excellent ballad "Endlessly" where Kanatschnig's vocals shine.
"Inside Out" offers a very pleasant listen through its well crafted songs, quality arrangements and crystal clear production. If Mr Mister, Toys Of Joy, Fingerprints, West Of Sunset are your thing, add this one to the collection.Good Hi-Tech / Lite AOR for the soul.01 - Welcome To My Paradise02 - Endlessly03 - Men In Motion04 - Gloria05 - Bring Me Some Water06 - Chinese Wall07 - House Of Sin08 - I Miss You09 - In The Ghetto10 - Wonderland11 - Help Me12 - Masters Of SuccessJohnny Kanatschnig - vocals, guitarsHarold Huber - keyboards, drums, programmingUmbo - bassMINDWORK Inside Out.
TOM DE LUCA started his career basically as songwriter, established in Nashville at the end of the seventies. He co-wrote the Jennifer Rush hit 'Heart Over Mind', songs for Aldo Nova, Joe Perry of Aerosmith and most of the tracks in Molly Hatchet's 1984 album 'Deed Is Done'.This successful work with the Hatchet attracted Epic / CBS Records to sign Tom as solo artist, and send him to England to record his debut with James Guthrie (Pink Floyd, Judas Priest). After a year and a half of hard work, "Down To The Wire" was ready to be out at the beginning of 1986. Unfortunately, the same week of the release there was an unexpected executive staff change at Epic, and the new crew decided to not promote De Luca's album.Few cassette and vinyl LP copies (already pressed) reached selected stores, and the album become a collectors item instantly. Much sought after for years, fans had to wait more than twenty years to see "Down To The Wire" released for the first time on CD.This album is a lovable slab of midwest American AOR / Melodic Rock with a sharp guitar sound and catchy choruses akin John Waite, Stan Bush and Kane Roberts early solo works, Aldo Nova, Jeff Paris and Steve Plunkett's projects - check the Autograph-like (without the edge) "Chasing Shadows".
Finally available with a superb sound, this "Down To The Wire" reissue includes three bonus tracks, two of them co-penned with the mighty Mike Slamer (Steelhouse Lane, Seventh Key) composed in the late '80s and much more Melodic Rock oriented.A must have for any '80s American AOR / Melodic Rock fan.01 - 57 Chevy02 - Runaway Hearts03 - Chasing Shadows04 - Dirty Fingers05 - Fire In The Night06 - Down To The Wire07 - Going The Distance08 - Stone In Your Heart09 - Betrayed10 - Reunion11 - Don't Need Your Kind Of Love (bonus track)12 - Can't Stop Love Can't Stop Money (bonus track)13 - Love Train (bonus track)Tom DeLuca - Vocals, GuitarDerek O'Neil - GuitarMickey Feat - Bass, Backing VocalsJamie Lane - DrumsDanny Schogger - KeyboardsTaylor Rhodes - Keyboards, Backing VocalsGary Barnacle - SaxMartin Ditcham - PercussionTOM DE LUCA Down To The Wire.
