In the early '90s, melodic rock had more or less left the mainstream and become an underground affair championed by a group of small indie labels in Europe. But, in 1994, one spectacular release appeared on the scene from a singer/ songwriter named Clif Magness, entitled “Solo” that managed to collect truly rave reviews from all over the world (yes, even in a time when melodic rock was considered dead and gone).  

“After receiving numerous requests from fans all over the world, I am excited to announce that I’m teaming up with Frontiers and releasing a new solo album,” says Clif. “Very cool to be working with Frontiers and after too long, on my own project. Years have passed since my last solo effort, but the truth is, I am, at the heart of things, a journeyman songwriter, and producer for others, and still am. But I have had an awesome time stepping out and putting together this record.“ Clif continues, “Some very loyal Melodic Rock, Planet 3 and Clif Magness fans worldwide have been asking me to record a follow up to “Solo” for a few years now. I contacted a couple of long time collaborators of mine, Mark Mueller, Jennifer Grais and Brock Walsh to write some new songs. I also included a new writer named Sherrie Adams. During the writing process, I contacted the esteemed vocalist Robin Beck. Robin recorded a song I wrote with Steve Kipner called “Footprints In The Rain” years ago, I’m a huge fan of her work! With Sherrie, we wrote “Love Needs A Heart” and recorded it as a duet”.  

The first song/video, “Ain’t No Way” was written with Mark Mueller who also wrote “If We Can’t Do It” with Clif on “Solo”. Clif says, “Mark has a great lyrical talent, especially in the “kick ass” context. I think kicking off an album with a barn burner is important. Also it has the theme of self-empowerment”.

“I’ve always been interested in the recording process. I literally had a mixer and two tape recorders in my bedroom when I was thirteen. That is to say that my studio is now at my home where I write, produce, engineer and perform all of the instruments and mix. Soup to nuts! Whenever I can, I ask Josh Freese to perform the drum tracks. And on “Lucky Dog”, my son Evan performed many of the guitar tracks," explains Clif.  

But who is Clif Magness? Well, he certainly needs no introduction for music fanatics who have devoted much of their time over the years to reading the credits in album liners. By the time the "Solo" record came out, he already made a name for himself co-writing and producing a #1 hit with Jack Wagner (“All I Need”), a top 5 hit for Wilson Phillips (“Impulsive”), and winning a Recording Academy / GRAMMY for the song “The Places You Find Love” from Quincy Jones‘ critically acclaimed album, “Back On The Block”. Just three years later, in 1993, Clif was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globes Award for the song “The Day I Fall In Love” from the film “Beethoven’s 2nd”, co-written with Carole Bayer Sager and James Ingram. Throughout the 1990s and into 2000, Clif continued to work with outstanding artists such as Céline Dion, Hanson, Steve Perry, Amy Grant, and Joe Bonamassa, among others. Clif was also instrumental in developing perhaps the biggest breakout artist of 2003, Avril Lavigne. Being among the first writer/producers to work with Avril, Clif’s writing and production style became the benchmark for the album. Clif co- wrote and produced the fourth, much edgier, Avril Lavigne single “Losing Grip,” as well as five other tracks from her multi-platinum debut “Let Go.” Of course he has kept on working and creating some great and hugely successful music for many singers in the past few years, including Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Amorosi, Tyler Hilton, Robin Beck, Marie Digby, Julia Michaels, and many others.  

Frontiers Music Srl is truly honored and excited to welcome such a huge talent to the label and firmly believes this will continue their unapproachable track record of bringing AOR fans music they are more than happy to hear. The new release will follow in the footsteps of “Solo”, with an updated production and sound befitting of the 21st century.

Melodicrock.com

Breakfast in Paris is Urs Wiesendanger's sixth solo album after I will (1985), The Real Me (1998), Somebody New (2005), Unreleased Tracks (2015), and A Tribute to the King (2017). The album is an homage to the Westcoast Pop of the 80s and 90s and includes originals by Urs Wiesendanger and Bruno Amatruda as well as a track specially written for the occasion by Jay Graydon & Don Breithaupt. It was produced and arranged by Urs Wiesendanger in the Powerplay Studios in Maur/Switzerland.

Guest musicians on the album: John Robinson (drums), Bruno Amatruda (guitars), Claudio Cervino (guitars), Phil Gates (guitars), Ramon Stagnaro (guitars), Dominic Rüegg (guitars), Jay Graydon (guitars), Daniel Küffer (sax), Tom Beek (sax), G-Sax (sax), Bernhard Schoch (trumpet/trombone), Dhenibe Romea (vocals), Sabina Stokes (vocals), Thierry Condor (vocals), Urs Wiesendanger (keyboards, bass, percussion & drum programming).

For the occasion, Scaggs assembled a star-studded studio band including such prestigious players as guitarists Doyle Bramhall II, Ray Parker Jr. and Charlie Sexton, bassist Willie Weeks, drummer Jim Keltner and keyboardist Jim Cox, as well as Boz himself on guitar, bass and vocoder, and longtime friend Jack Walroth on harmonica.

Out of the Blues also features four songs written or co-written by Scaggs' longtime friend and kindred musical spirit Jack Walroth, a left-of-center bluesman who Scaggs met in the '60s, when both lived in Madison, Wisconsin, and who relocated to San Francisco at around the same time as Scaggs.

”Soul Redemption” is the debut release from singer songwriter Flav Martin and drummer producer Jerry Marotta. The duo harmoniously blends modern adult rock with traditional world pop. Whether performed in a café in Italy or on the polo fields of Indio, these songs would feel comfortably at home in either environment.

Credited as one of the most innovative acoustic guitar players on the scene today, Flav Martin blends beautiful melodies with intricate technique, voicing, and a percussive style that leaves people saying "How does he do that?”. Throughout his career Flav has performed with David Crosby, Al Stewart, Suzanne Vega, Tommy Emmanuel and more. Flav’s many writing credits include Saturday Night Live, PBS, Canon Films. All but 2 of the songs on this album were written by Flav.

World renowned drummer, touring and session musician and producer Jerry Marotta has left his mark on countless recordings by Paul McCartney, Hall & Oates, Indigo Girls, Marc Cohn, Sarah MacLachlan, and John Mayer to name but a few. He 1st entered the music scene as the drummer for Orleans with the hit single “Still The One” followed by a decade of performing and recording with Peter Gabriel. His rhythmic drumming and world music inspired percussion complement the acoustic flavor of Flav's guitar.

Backing up the duo are their long time friends Tony Levin, bass, Peter Primamore, piano, Thor Jensen, guitar, Marc Shulman, guitar, and Gary Schreiner, harmonica, accordion.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN

Calle Karlsson describes his childhood as quite idyllic. Even though it was not so well ordered at Träslövsläge, on the westcoast of Sweden, at that time, "läjsingarna" had each other. At home, his dad Janne played the accordion and his mother Ella the piano, and there was always a lot of music in the house. Calle and his 2 brothers contributed singing. 

It was in church that Calle got his first stage scene. "I sang in the choir and participated in school closures. My singing has been there, all the way. As a child, I liked to enjoy and entertain and be on stage". Calles first music memories is a photo where he has formed a band at the age of 5, with some cousins playing with homemade guitars. "It was only when I started at Varberg School Of Education I learned to play the guitar properly, such teaching was not available on Läjet. My first solo performance was at the Rosenfreds school scene. I'll never forget it.

I was terribly nervous until I started playing. Then it suddenly disappeared and I've never been nervous about standing on stage ever since". When Calle finished his education he was very tired of school. His father, a fisherman for generations, who had realized that the fishing industry was facing a hard time, did not try to persuade Calle to take on this task. Calle instead started working at Dagåh's Photo Shop in Varberg. At the same time, interest in cars, motorcycles and music grew. Calle became one with his own Ford Thunderbird, formed Varbergs Automobil & MC Club, and also played rock'n'roll with brother Håkan and some friends in the band Victoria. The music took more more and more of his time. After 15 years at Dagåh's Photo Shop, he quit.

Calle then fronted the band Blue Light, recorded an album in 1985, but despite the fact that they were touring around Sweden and other countries, they never really took off. Calle began to play more and more as a solo troubadour at pubs. He didn't wanted to let go of the music, and he was very appreciated for what he was doing.

"I sat there and played and sometimes wondered what I was doing there, so I started talking to the audience, telling stories". Suddenly, he received requests to attend corporate celebrations, weddings, birthdays and association meetings. The business took a new focus as Calle developed increasingly. Over the years he has become an appreciated entertainer, but music has always been the foundation. He has released 6 CD's so far. They consist of mixed material, some written by himself, and some have been on his hometown language, which he feels extra warmly about.

In the summer of 2013, he took the full step and released the CD "Läjet, Läjet", completely sung in his native, hometown language. "When I was a child, we talked like this at home. When I started school in 1st grade I had to learn Swedish. Today, the hometown of which the dialect is called is cool, but back then there was nothing positive about it. I would think there are about 200 people, at most, who can talk to this native tongue today. Therefore we also had to translate the songs on that CD into Swedish".

On May 11th, 2018, Calle released his 7th CD, "Monterey Shoreline", a 5 track CD EP, that Calle recorded with comrades, relatives and friends from all over the westcoast of Sweden.

Thanks to Peter Holmstedt at HEMIFRAN