During the last couple of years there were a few extraordinary Westcoast releases by European artists, most of them based in Scandinavia, like Peter Friestedt and Corin & Edman. But there is also something happening in the south of the continent regarding Westcoast music. The multi talented Italian Marco Taggiasco just released his second album “This Moment” following his remarkable debut CD “Thousand Things” from 2004.

The new album is a winner in every respect, the production and the arrangements are among the finest you are likely to hear. This doesn’t come as a surprise since Marco is working as a composer, arranger and musical director for more than 20 years now. Knowing this you can easily draw parallels to David Foster who holds similar functions and who had a great impact on the American Westcoast scene.
For the greater part of the lead vocals Marco could again rely on the well tried and versatile voice of Andrea Sanchini who already recorded with Marco in the past. Beside shining on the cover version of the Orleans classic “You’ve Been Runnin’”, Andrea also added his talent as a song writer for several songs.
Westcoast icon David Pack took over the microphone on the title track “This Moment” and his performance is indeed a moment to remember and to reminisce about his glorious past with Ambrosia.
Anne Marie Bush from Denmark, whose song writing partners in the past included Bill Champlin and Michael Thompson, is singing on her co-composition with Marco called “April In My Heart”.

An extraordinary highlight is certainly the participation of Eric Tagg, whose voice can be heard again for the first time in ten years. The man who reached cult status in Westcoast circles through his “Dreamwalkin’”- album and the Lee Ritenour discs “RIT” and “RIT 2”, also contributes as a writer with two amazing, previously unreleased tracks called “Another Waste Of Time” and “Radio Silence”.

Everyone who is looking for an awesome album in the classic Westcoast style of Pages, Robbie Dupree, Maxus, Al Jarreau and the aforementioned artists, that was recorded by high profile singers and musicians doesn’t need to look any further than “This Moment”. Do yourself a favour and discover the music of Marco Taggiasco.

Review by Gregor Klee

"This moment" is newly available at Target records @ AOR Heaven