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August 2015
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October 2015

Mac McAnally "AKA NOBODY"

Akanobody

Set to release on Mailboat Records, A.K.A Nobody is McAnally's latest solo album, sung, performed and produced by the much beloved session ace. All but one of its songs were written by McAnally, either on his own or with illustrious co-writers including Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, Sonny Landreth, Chris Stapleton, Al Anderson, and others.

Working with an all-star assembly of friends and studio colleagues, McAnally achieves a rare blend of deep soul and polished technique on each track. His expressive range is on full display -- swampy blues on "Place Where You Belong," some exotic Parisian-style swing on "Zanzibar," a saucy Cajun swagger on "Loser Gumbo" with McAnally rocking the piano as Sonny Landreth wails on slide guitar, complex but catchy pop reminiscent of Steely Dan's best on "Someday," straight-ahead, steel-sweetened country with Southern rock seasoning on "Coast of Carolina." And perhaps the album's biggest surprise, "With a Straight Face," a sensitive portrayal of two gay children raised by parents who can't understand their kids are "something God made." "I have a heart for the underdog and for the oppressed and persecuted," McAnally says, addressing "With a Straight Face." "And I have close friends who have suffered for no good reason I can see. This song is for all the above."

Mac2

McAnally's depth and breadth as an artist are no secret within the recording community. Born in Alabama, raised on church choirs and formal lessons, playing pro gigs at 13, tutored on the mysteries of session excellence at the historic Muscle Shoals Studios and relocated to Nashville, he was an essential ingredient on studio dates with Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton, George Strait, Lee Ann Womack, Randy Travis, George Jones, Billy Joel and many other headliners. He's traveled the world as a member of Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. His peers have honored him every year since 2008 as Musician of the Year at the CMA Awards. And with a track record that includes writing No. 1 hits on his own for Kenny Chesney ("Down the Road") and Alabama ("Old Flame") as well as penning chart-toppers for Sawyer Brown ("All These Years") and Shenandoah ("Two Dozen Roses"), it's no wonder that he has been voted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

"This selection of music made me stay up late and get up early, filled up my fairly big heart and historically large head for the last several years in between also working on musical projects with other artists, which I also love to do," Mac says. "Because of the long process in recording this album I had the chance to give some long attention to the songs that demanded it, and the ones I thought would benefit from a spontaneous joyfest in the studio with a great band were saved for last. I'm very proud of both the work and that my fans continue to follow my little career. Small though it may be it's one of the biggest blessings ever. I'm grateful... and to borrow one of the song titles 'Proud To Be Alive.'" The ironic title notwithstanding, the music of A.K.A. Nobody speaks to everybody. This is music for all who love the marriage of art, craft and passion that Mac McAnally -- and few others -- have achieved.


Lava "Prime Time"

Primetime

Preservation Records is pleased to announce the re-release of LAVA's Prime Time on cd with three bonus tracks due to October 5th.

It all started with a cup of coffee in Oslo with some of the key members of Lava, Svein Dag, Per and Egil, and Tobias with his newly founded record-label, Preservation Records.

Long story short; the meeting resulted in a deal with the goal of re-releasing Lava's catalogue on CD and digitally. The original studio sessions, the master-tapes, has been located and is being re-mastered, this time with modern technology in order to make a fresh sound.

So far, the album "Cruising" is released successfully in Japan, Europe and in Norway. The next on the list is "Prime Time" with three extra bonus tracks. For the first time it is available on CD and will be available digitally for the fans.

Lava

Lava was originally released in 1983 with Egil Eldøen as front vocalist. Sidsel Endresen contributes with vocals on the track "Hard Times". The album peaked at #6 in Norway and stayed on top 40 for 9 weeks in the charts.

"Prime Time" represents a genre that originally came from California in the 70's. The sound is big with expensive production and 1"class musicians". The album was recorded in the legendary Rosenborg Studios in Oslo. Lava is considered the most important representative for this genre in Norway. Today, Lava has a large fan base both in Norway and internationally. Together with Lava, we wish to bring this awesome music to the world!

The album will be sold through Preservation Records and will be distributed in Japan and the world through Diskunion. In addition it will be sold through dedicated westcoast and AOR stores like AOR Heaven in Germany and Blue Desert in Sweden.


Diamond Rio "I Made it"

Diamonrio

The band that plays together stays together. Known as one of the first country bands to play on every one of their studio projects, Diamond Rio made country music history when their first Arista Nashville single, “Meet In The Middle” landed them in the No. 1 spot.

Now, 25 years later Diamond Rio is releasing I Made It, their tenth studio album. The title track was co-written by the band’s lead guitarist Jimmy Olander and features 11 new songs. Produced by Olander and Michael D Clute, I Made It is available since Friday, September 18 at iTunes and through Rio Hot Records at diamondrio.com.

I Made It is a follow-up to their 2014 first-ever live album release, Diamond Rio Live. In celebration of the release for a limited time, fans can receive a FREE MP3 of the title track, “I Made It” by visiting www.diamondrio.com.


Arno Hass "Back To You"

Arnohass

In November 2013 Arno Hass published his successful debut album „Magic Hands“ produced by Los Angeles based world class producer Tom Saviano. A relaxed, funky and edgy Fusion Jazz Sound. 

His wish to have his own CD came true and added one more big milestone in his career. It enforced him to compose new tracks for his upcoming CD „Back To You“ out in October 2015 and once again produced by Tom Saviano. Guest singers on „Lucky Chance", were vocal artist and 7 time Grammy Award Winner, Al Jarreau. On "When love is real" you will hear the beautiful shining vocal sound of Evelyn Kallansee of the successful Band TRISTAN. What a great honor for him to record this CD, again with the Who's Who of the US West Coast Jazz Scene and his Band The Alvin Mills Project! „

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Find It "Dark Angel"

Findit

Frontiers Music Srl is pleased to announce the release of FIND ME's new album, entitled “Dark Angel”, on December 4th in Europe and North America.



FIND ME is a collaboration between Swedish musician, songwriter and producer Daniel Flores (Issa, The Murder of My Sweet, Seventh Wonder) and singer Robbie LaBlanc from Blanc Faces. The partnership was put together by Frontiers President, Serafino Perugino with a vision to unleash another AOR behemoth. FIND ME’s debut album, “Wings of Love” received excellent reviews and left fans begging for more music from the duo! No demands could have been easier to fulfill as the two guys just love working together and finding the right songs for the group from contributors the likes of Alessandro Del Vecchio, brothers Tom and James Martin (Vega, Issa), Soren Kronqvist (Sunstorm), Niclas Olsson (Alyson Avenue), Mark Mangold (Touch, Drive, She Said) or Philip Lindstrand (Strong) is never a problem.

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CWF Champlin Williams Friestedt

CWFskiss4

AOR Heaven proudly announce the release for October 23 of CHAMPLIN, WILLIAMS, FRIESTEDT

TOTO singer Joseph Williams teams up with former Chicago singer Bill Champlin and Swedish guitarist/producer Peter Friestedt for a new remarkable AOR release following the success with the ”Live In Concert” DVD that made it all the way to the top on the Swedish Chart!

In 2012 Champlin/Willams/Friestedt played a sold out Scandinavian tour and during this time the first recordings of the "CWF" album took place. The new album also includes contributions from Steve Porcaro of  TOTO, Randy Goodrum (TOTO, Chicago), Will Champlin and Tamara Champlin.

Champlin says: "I’ve been involved with a project that includes me, Peter Friestedt a great  guitarist and producer from Sweden, and Joseph Williams, the singer of TOTO! I was pretty knocked out by the stuff. I’d almost forgotten how good it was when we did it. There are great songs and even better performances on this album, and I know you’ll love it It’s rare for me to be involved with a project and be surprised by how good it is. This one will knock you out.”  

Joseph Williams is the lead vocalist with Grammy winning US band TOTO.  He has been busy as a composer of film and drama scores, as a session vocalist, backing singer and can be heard in Disney’s animated feature film “The Lion King” as singing voice of the adult Simba (“Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”). 

Guitarist, producer & recording artist Peter Friestedt has released two critically acclaimed albums “LA Project” (2002) and “LA Project II” (2008) that got top reviews. Peter has been a busy sessionplayer playin on records with David Foster and Fergie Frederiksen and touring Europe and Japan with Joseph Williams with who he also released the "Williams/Friestedt" album that was a top 40 hit in Scandinavia!

Bill Champlin was the lead singer of the legendary band Chicago for more than 25 years, and is a founding member of the band Sons of Champlin. Champlin has written Grammy award winning songs for Earth Wind & Fire and George Benson, and worked with countless artists including Elton John, The Doobie Brothers and Steve Lukather of TOTO.

 


Waylon "Heaven After Midnight"

Waylon

Waylon (born Willem Bijkerk) is a Dutch singer. His stage name came from the name of his idol Waylon Jennings. He represented the Netherlands with Ilse DeLange as The Common Linnets at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, finishing in second place in the final.

Waylon started his career in 1995 singing in the television program Telekids where he sang the chorus of the song Harry Stallion. From childhood, he was inspired by country music and he played the drums with the band West Virginian Railroad. He was signed in 1997 by EMI and went to Nashville to record an album, but the album was never completed.

In 2001, he lived and worked for a year in the United States where he also performed with his idol, Waylon Jennings. After Jennings died in 2002, Waylon returned to the Netherlands. Waylon took part in the first season of Holland's Got Talent on SBS 6 in 2008. He auditioned with the song "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" by James Brown. He received positive feedback from jurors Henkjan Smits and Patricia PaayWaylon placed in the finals.

A year later, Universal Music signed Waylon as the first Dutchman to the Motown label. His first single, "Wicked Way", was released on August 7, 2009, as a preview of the album Wicked Ways, released later that month.

In April 2010, Waylon won his first major music award, a 3FM Award for "Best Newcomer". A month later he received in a gold record for his debut album on the television program De wereld draait door. Waylon released "The Escapist" in October 2011 as the first single from his second album, After All, which was released on November 3, 2011.

Together with singer Ilse Delange, Waylon was the Dutch entry to the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen. The two formed the duo The Common Linnets and sang the country/bluegrass song "Calm After the Storm". They won second place with a total of 238 points behind Conchita Wurst from Austria.

Waylon's third studio album, "Heaven After Midnight", was released in September 2014. He worked in Nashville and Hollywood on the album with, among others, Bruce Gaitsch, Rob Crosby, Leland Sklar, CJ Evanston, Janey Clewer, Michael LandauBruce Gaitsch co-wrote 5 songs, plays acoustic guitars and produced the record with Paul Brinks. Heaven After Midnight also features the names of Ilse De Lange, Rob Crosby and son Mattew Crosby who worked together with Waylon on the Common Linnets project.

 


The Pinder Brothers "Melancholy Sea"

Pinder

Sacramento-based duo The Pinder Brothers are renowned for their songwriting and instrumental savvy, and have been compared to the likes of Crosby, Stills & Nash and Simon & Garfunkel. But there’s so much more to their story. These guys are sons of rock legend Mike Pinder, one of the founding members of the Moody Blues.



But brothers Michael and Matt are making their own kind of magic, via recently released album “Melancholy Sea”. The 11-track collection, which offers keen observations on the serenity of our world, provides a showcase of the duo’s sing-along pop melodies, alongside enough pulsating guitars to add the bite of alternative rock to their signature.



From the onset of "Melancholy Sea" listeners embark on a sonic journey with twists and turns as the tracks unfold. The tracks of the album delve into bends in life's journey, exploring universal themes.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN


Melanie Dekker "Lekker, eh" Live in Europe

Lekker

Melanie Dekker is a Canadian roots-pop sensation home to Deep Cove, BC, Canada. Her world class strumming and voice like chocolate earned her a radio hit in Canada "I Said I", and a more recent radio hit in Denmark "Boomerang". Her Dutch background gives her that no-hold-back fun attitude, she's vulnerable, funny and powerful. Fans experience a sense of connection. Her songs weave between emotion and sensibilities, each at a different pace and in a different place. She tours over 100 concerts yearly and her latest studio release “Distant Star” has already sold 12,000 copies since November 2013.

This 'longing' album is a beautiful addition to her elaborate discography, her previous album "Revealed' was produced by David Kershenbaum (Tracy Chapman, Willie Nelson, Joan Baez, Joe Jackson). Like these artists, Dekker has a special tangible emotive flare.



And now Dekker brings her fans what they've been asking for by releasing a spontaneous live album. On this "Lekker Eh" collection of songs, Melanie Dekker presents a live tasty bit of a special kind, intimate recordings of various concerts from her 2014 tour. It's an acoustic journey through worlds of feelings. Inimitably warm-hearted and tender and carried by Dekker's powerful gentle voice. Like a delicious filling of a cake she is accompanied by various world-class players at times, while her dynamic guitar playing and piano playing is the center that leads the vibe. A delicacy for your ears.



Dekker has opened for Diana Krall and Faith Hill and performed with Russell Peters and Bryan Adams, as well for president Bill Clinton. She’s made a string of popular videos which include her music synched to her plunge at the Vancouver's Polar Bear Swim, her shows at the 2010 Olympics, her own Wisdom tooth removal, her Christmas concerts in Afghanistan, and a romantic run-in with a mannequin. Dekker was given a Medal of Honour by the Chief of Defence Staff for Canada for her song ”Fall In Wounded Soldier”, and was awarded the title ’ambassador’ for the Kinder Hospiz in Germany for her donated sold-out concerts. Her concerts are a cool combination of fiery, colourful and sympathetic music and attitudes.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN