Hey, everybody. this is Bill Champlin. how's your 2020 going? I read a post about the daylight savings time change that said, "getting an extra hour in 2020 is like getting a "bonus track" on a yoko ono album!!" Ouch. anyway, I think 2021 will see more albums than new babies 9 months after the New York blackout.

Speaking of new albums, I got one coming out in january or maybe february; I'm pushing for january. this is a solo album and not a Wunderground or Sons record. this thing is 14 songs of deep material and solid grooves; I think it may be the best compilation of songs I've ever put together. the title is "Livin' For Love", named after a song entitled "Livin' For Love". that song may be the closest thing to an R&B Blues thing than anything I've cut in a long time. Tamara heard it when I wrote it and said, "Bill, It's time for you to do another solo album". She's usually on the money when it comes to this kinda' stuff.

The guys on the record are some of the best in the business: Tal Morris, a former Sons' member, played a solo on it, Carmen Grillo, Sons, engineered a lotta' stuff and played a great solo, too. Marc Russo, a former Sons guy, played some horns things and one of the wildest solos ever, wow!!! Alan Hertz, Sons, played drums on a lot and mixed all but one song. Vinnie Colaiuta and George Hawkins Jr, played drums and bass on a track that Bruce Gaitsch played keys and guitar on that he found in his stash of what he calls kernals; Tamara and I wrote the melodies and lyrics within 5 minutes of hearing it. I wrote three songs with Greg Mathieson, piano, hammond organ, keys bass, programming etc, I've had some success with Greg over the years and we co-produced 3 of those on the record; one of those songs has Abraham Laboriel on bass, Gorden Campbell played drums on a handful of songs, Gary Falcone played a solo and co-wrote a handful with me and Tamara. Andreas Carlsson co-wrote one with me and I put him to work singing on the album and, except for one song, Lenny Castro played percussion on the album and, as usual, killed it. I played a bunch of guitar, bass, keys and fender, hammond organ and we did most of the vocals with Tamara and me but also we sang handful with Gary Falcone and Andreas Carlsson. Oh, Steve Porcaro did some awesome synth programming on one song also; he's sooooo good at this.

We're looking at releasing the record digitally in late january, on Imagen Records, but Tamara and I will be selling the cd's at billchamplin.com/shop. She's taking pre-orders now, already, and as soon as the new year comes around it'll all be happenin'. it's been maybe 13 or 14 years since I did a solo album and I think I was more than ready and up to the task. I hope you guys like it. Hey, usually when I'm finished with hearing songs over and over again I can't stand to hear 'em again, at least 'til my ears are fresh. I still dig this one top to bottom. I hope you feel the same way. Remember the days when we played our favorite albums and, when the last song on side 2 was done we just turned it over and started again? This one may just one of those. I hope to see you all in person as soon as this virus stuff has run it's course. I miss playing live but, for some reason, stopping live gigs, for a while, led to this album. Next: live!!! I love you tons!

Be SAFE Be GOOD Be BAAAAAAAAAD, Bill

Steve Lukather's "I Found The Sun Again" was co-produced by Ken Freeman. The players feature many dignitaries that have been in Luke's life for decades. Amongst those are drummer Gregg Bissonette, keyboardist Jeff Babko, and bassists Jorgen Carlsson and John Pierce. Lifelong friend and TOTO bandmate David Paich performs piano and organ across the album, while Joseph Williams sang on multiple tracks alongside writing string and horn arrangements and tracking keys on the aforementioned "Run To Me". Other co-writers include Stan Lynch, Jeff Babko, and, of course, Joseph Williams.

Joseph Williams's "Denizen Tenant" was produced by Williams outside of the compositions "Black Dahlia" and "No Lessons" which were arranged and produced by Jay Gruska and mixed by Dave Way. The musicians and singers who made contributions in the studio reads like a who's who of players that have been in the artist's life over the past four decades. Amongst these contributors are bandmates from TOTO, David Paich and Steve Lukather. Simon Phillips, Leland Sklar, Lenny Castro, Nathan East, all of whom enjoyed tenures in TOTO, are also featured players on the album. Additional contributions include performances by Oscar Bugarin, Jay Gruska, Mike Landau, Barbara Gruska, Steve Overton, Dylan Ronan, Hannah Ruick, Steve Tavaloni, Weston Wilson, Ray Williams and Mark T. Williams. The album was produced and mixed at Digbyroad Studios in Sherman Oaks, California.

"Denizen Tenant" features a dozen new recordings. Amongst these are a cover of THE BEATLES' "If I Fell", which Williams cites as the one specific song that taught him about the power of harmonies and vocal arrangements. On Peter Gabriel's "Don't Give Up", a very special guest performance is featured in his daughter Hannah laying down a vocal track. Across the recorded repertoire, there is a consistent presence of performances by guitarists Steve Lukather and Mike Landau alongside percussionist Lenny Castro. 

The recordings will be available individually on both CD and LP, alongside all streaming services globally. A limited-edition deluxe edition is available with the two titles bundled together.

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Firefall's first album of new music in 25 years. Formed by the former members of the Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Spirit and Zephyr, Firefall's commercial success includes three Gold albums, two Platinum albums and eleven chart-topping singles. The band's biggest hit, "You Are the Woman" has been played on commercial radio more than 8,000,000 times and has also appeared in over 75 films and television shows. Over the past four decades, Firefall has toured the world and shared stages with other iconic bands such as Fleetwood Mac, The Band, The Beach Boys, Kenny Loggins, Journey, Heart, ELO and Marshall Tucker Band. Currently touring with three original members (Jock Bartley, David Muse, Mark Andes), longtime drummer Sandy Ficca and talented newcomer Gary Jones. Includes the singles "Nature's Way," "A Real Fine Day," & "There She Is."

Pre-orders here!

Musician and producer Phil Martin has always been interested in the West Coast music scene and distinctive sound from the late 70’s era. Artist like Steely Dan, Hall & Oates, The Doobie Brothers, Fleetwood Mac and The Eagles all featured heavily in his diet of music when he was growing up.

As a producer and song writer, Phil has historically been more active in soul and jazz music. He has produced albums for successful projects such as The Jazzinvaders, Laura Vane and the Vipertones and The Soul Snatchers, all busy touring bands with radio support. After working on a project with singer Lo van Gorp (Garp) from the Netherlands, Phil found the perfect vocal fit to his recordings for his own West Coast flavoured pop album. Together with other song writers like Joel Sarakula and Laura Vane he began writing and producing songs.

Lo van Garp is a well known backing singer and saxophonist in Holland, recognised for his work backing many bigger artists like Marco Borsato, Paul Carrack, Roger Hodgson, Chaka Khan, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Al Jarreau to name a few. The sound of Martin & Garp can best be described as feel-good, radio friendly melodies romantically looking back to California in the 70’s. In amongst the catchy guitar and synth licks and luxurious harmonies, the theme is the unifying effect of music in the quest for sunny optimism. This album spills groovy rhythms, together with jazzy harmonies and smooth vocals. Imagine that ‘feel-good record’ that has to be played loudly in your convertible, cruising down the coast with the wind in your hair, darting in and out of the shade created by beach-side palm trees.