THE RELEASE OF the debut Toto album signalled a significant tipping point in the development of rock. Similar sounding acts such as Foreigner, Journey and Steely Dan had sowed the seeds of melodic AOR but none at that point had truly crafted the definitive role model. Toto took basic elements and turned them into pure gold by crafting a sound that was precise, cultivated and pretty much flawless, blending memorable songs with state of the art production and melodies that would propel their songs onto the airwaves from Los Angeles to London and all points in between.

Formed by the cream of the LA session circuit, the band’s credential were further enhanced by keyboard player and composer David Paich, a man who had carved a successful song writing reputation with artists such as Boz Scaggs. Joining him was guitar prodigy Steve Lukather, lead vocalist Bobby Kimball, bassist David Hungate, and two brothers in keyboardist Steve and drummer Jeff Porcaro; all men with their eyes on the prize and talent to burn.

Originally issued in 1978, the album produced two massive worldwide hit singles, ‘Hold The Line’ and ‘I’ll Supply The Love’, securing them a top ten album in the Billboard Charts and double Platinum certification. Elsewhere the tracks range from the soulful pop of ‘Georgy Porgy’ to the raging, almost malevolent, hard rock of ‘Girl Goodbye’. Special Deluxe Collector’s Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 1 bonus track, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.

IT’S FAIR TO say that Toto’s debut album was one of the surprise events of 1978. It was rammed to the rafters with methodically crafted tracks, and produced two bonafide hit singles; ‘I’ll Supply The Love’ and ‘Hold The Line’. It was these two songs that reshaped the sound of melodic rock, giving rise to the style that forever onwards became known as AOR. Certified double platinum, the future for Toto looked assured or so they thought...

When they returned with their second album ‘Hydra’, originally released in 1979, their fans and critics were confronted with a work that although immediately recognisable, was considerably more advanced and complex. Instead of serving up another dish of stylistic pop rock, they reached deep inside and committed to elaborate compositions and intricate arrangements. In many respects the approach could be traced directly back to the band’s progressive rock leanings; something that their musical ability and dexterity had always hinted at. Actually ‘Hydra’ is arguably Toto’s finest hour.

It is a record that combines all the positive aspects of a band that not only wrote great songs but also presented them in a format that wasn’t clichéd or pedestrian. The title track, for instance, is a seven minutes plus anthem that has become a career cornerstone, whilst shorter, sharper tracks such as ‘White Sister’ and ‘All Us Boys’ reinforced the AOR backbone in spectacular form. Special Deluxe Collector’s Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, 16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.

YOU COULD SAY that ‘Turn Back’ is the lost Toto album. Whilst their debut record achieved double platinum sales figures, producing two global hit singles, and it’s follow up ‘Hydra’, was eventually acknowledged as a neo progressive rock triumph, ‘Turn Back’ flew beneath the radar and barely caused a blip on the charts before disappearing from sight.

The fact that their follow up album ‘Toto IV’ has won an unprecedented seven Grammys and contained three top 10 hit singles only seems to emphasise the point. But although it is the least well known early era Toto album, to die-hard fans of the band it is regarded as one of their creative highpoints. Originally issued in 1981, it found the band taking a far more aggressive approach, dialling down the keyboards and upping the guitar quota by a considerable margin. This was, for all intents and purposes, an arena rock album designed to stave off their detractors and emphasise that they could hold their own against meatier acts such as Foreigner and Boston.

Once again, much of the material was written or co-written by David Paich but the songs are tougher and far more dynamic than their previous work. Much of this was due to the enlistment of renowned British co-producer Geoff Workman who provided a raw, heavy sound. Highlights include ‘Goodbye Elenore’, ‘A Million Miles Away’ and the brilliantly arranged ‘English Eyes’, a candidate for their greatest ever track. Special Deluxe Collector’s Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, Produced by Geoff Workman,16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.

YOU CAN TAKE the Girl out of the East Coast but you can’t take the East Coast out of the girl. For Fiona’s third album the diminutive singer was transported lock and stock and barrel to Los Angeles in an effort to give her a creative makeover. It was a move that shaped her label’s (Atlantic Records) deep rooted belief in her potential, after recording two albums of top drawer melodic rock that indicated she was on the verge of a major breakthrough. ‘Heart Like A Gun’, originally issued in 1989, was primarily produced by studio wizard Keith Olsen, a man who’d notched up several platinum plus selling albums from a string of artists, including Fleetwood Mac, Whitesnake and Journey.

The belief was that Olsen’s magic touch would help craft an album that would catapult her into the spotlight. With help from a number of name players, including noted guitarists Brad Gillis, Mike Slamer, Tim Pierce and Dweezil Zappa, together with key song writing co-writes by Mark Mangold, Aldo Nova and Van Stephenson.

Originally issued in 1989, the album exudes class and quality, a tremendous example of rugged yet melodic hard rock, with a polished and accessible sheen. Look out for the album standout, an anthemic duet with hard rock heart throb Kip Winger, ‘Everything You Do (You’re Sexing Me)’, one the most impressive tracks of the entire era. Special Deluxe Collector’s Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology, Produced by Keith Olsen,16 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork and rare photos.

Visit Rock Candy Records to order your copy.

BASED ON AMERICA’s West Coast, Ambrosia began their recording career in the mid 70s as a full blown progressive rock band, brandishing a sound that was clearly influenced by British groups like Procol Harum, Genesis and Caravan. However, with the passing of time, their style was to radically shift towards a more accessible, song based, approach, resulting in brace of melodically inclined albums that elevated the band’s profile considerably.

Issued in 1980 on the Warner Bother’s label, ‘One Eighty’ was the band’s fourth album and is now regarded as the high point of their AOR period. As a six man outfit, the approach is studious yet exploratory; leaving enough space for the songs to breathe and be supported by carefully executed multi-layered backing vocals and a soulful r ‘n’ b undertow.

Comparable to other premier melodic rock acts of the period such as Toto, Player and Steely Dan, the album benefits hugely from two US top twenty hit singles, ‘You’re The Only Woman’ and ‘Biggest Part Of Me’; both of which showcase front man David Pack’s world class voice. But don’t go running away with the impression that their music is all sweetness and light; tracks such as ‘Ready’, ‘Shape I’m In’, ‘Cryin’ In The Rain’ and the anthemic guitar driven ‘Rock ‘N A Hard Place’ position the band firmly at the epicentre of a some serious and powerful hard rock. Hugely recommended. Special Deluxe Collector’s Edition, fully remastered sound shaped from 24 BIT digital technology,12 page full colour booklet, 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork, rare photos and new interview.

By the eighties the group had morphed into a hugely successful AOR unit, enjoying hit singles and mainstream media exposure very much in the breezy but precise style of Toto, Player and Steely Dan. Of course, the icing on the cake was vocalist David Pack, a man whose voice has been compared to such masters of the art as Bobby Kimball, Michael McDonald and Steve Perry. ‘Road Island’, originally issued in 1982, was Ambrosia’s fifth album and in many ways saw them returning to their progressive roots composing songs blessed with ambitious arrangements.

This stylistic volt-face was in part emphasised by their choice of producer, Pink Floyd engineer James Gutherie, with recording partly undertaken in London’s famed Kinks owned Konk Studios. In addition, the album artwork’s illustrative calligraphy (undertaken by Ralph Steadman - one time illustrator of satirical publication Private Eye) was somewhat reminiscent of Pink Floyd’s ‘The Wall’, further emphasising their progressive rock roots. Musically brilliant, the album contains lashings of intelligently conceived tracks, such as ‘For Openers (Welcome Home)’ and the seven minute quasi-prog epic ‘Ice Age’. Other more traditional sounding melodic rock tracks included ‘Still Not Satisfied’ and the Fleetwood Mac reminiscent ‘How Can You Love Me’ - two of the band’s finest compositions.

These two Ambrosia cds are now availables at Rock Candy Records!

Escape Music is pleased to announce the release of Robert Hart double album vocalist of (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band) and (ex Bad Company and The Distance vocalist).

Cries and Whispers: White Lies and promises / Heart / Dear Mary / Such an easy revolution / Cries and Whispers / This has got to be love / A little love is overdue / Mankind / High on Love / One to One / She’s on the list / Heart-Arty Olive Mix / *Your Hurt As Much As Love Someone

Robert Hart: Heart and Soul / Angel / Ridin’ on the wind / I don’t want to be here when you’re gone / Boys on the corner / fooled around and fell in love / Someone to watch over me / better than the rest / Running Man / A little love is overdue / *Faster Than The Speed Of Love

Robert Hart is a British Rock Vocalist and songwriter. His career has seen him play with the likes of The Distance, Bad Company and Company of Snakes, as well as the Jones Gang and more recently Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. His recording styles have varied and he can range from West Coast to Blues Rock to Hard Rock, such is his ability.

In 1989 Robert recorded a solo album “Cries and Whispers” which can be described as prime time AOR and has been a highly sought after recording ever since. The Album was originally released on Atlantic Records with Stewart Levine at the production desk.

Three years later Robert was the first recording artist to be signed by Hollywood Records which was owned by Disney and had the pleasure of working with the great Russ Ballard. The resulting album “Robert Hart” charted in more than 18 countries and it was a great AOR Rock Album that got him noticed By Bad Company’s Mick Ralphs who then asked him to front Bad Company following the departures of Paul Rodgers and Brian Howe. In 1995 Robert Co-wrote the album “Company of Strangers” and he has since become a household name in Rock Circles.

These two albums in one package are a dream comes true for all fans of hard Rock and AOR, and it “essential” list should be placed on the “as soon as possible!

At the moment Robert Hart is working with Jim Kirkpatrick (FM guitarist) on a new project name DIESEL and is due to be released in autumn 2013

The AOR Heaven Classix series continues with the re-issue of Just-If-I "All One People" released in 1993. Led by Neil 'Noah' Shilkin and featuring Mike Reno (Loverboy) on vocals and Neal Schon (Journey) on guitars.

Digitally remastered by Chris Lyne (Soul Doctor) and incl. liner notes by Dave Reynolds it's available through www.aorheaven.com.

MAX CARL is one of the US’ most known song-writers who also has been actively playing & singing in various bands including THE NEW BREED BLUES BAND, various Jazz Rock/ Fusion bands during the 70’s together with Tommy Bolin, 38 SPECIAL and, most recently, GRAND FUNK RAILROAD. Additionally to this, CARL was involved into numerous soundtracks for movies such as ‘Police Academy’ & ‘Short Circuit’ and performed as session player for artists such as Elton John, Don Henley, Molly Hatchet, Glenn Frey, Bette Midler & Kenny Loggins.

“The Circle” is CARL’s third solo album, the first one released under this name, and originally was issued on vinyl only on MCA Records in 1985. Produced by Peter Hauke (CRAAFT, KARO, TONY CAREY, SUPERMAX), this long play offers all trademarks an 80’s AOR lover is looking for: soaring vocals, catchy melodies & hooks, pumping drums, crunchy guitars and a huge amount of sometimes yet bombastic keyboards on stellar tracks such as the uptempo-driven tunes “Radical Prodical”, “Night Train Roll” and “A Cold Shot”! The title track “The Circle” was featured on the soundtrack of the American 80’s teen movie “Weird Science” directed by legendary John Hughes. Both the single and video clip for this track became hits in the US.

Yesterrock in co-operation with Universal Music Germany now is re-leasing this sought after AOR gem for the first time on CD and with a re-mastered sound.

Line-up: Max Carl (Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards); Jimmy Haslip (Bass); Volcker Barber (Synthesizer), Christian Selke & Eddie Taylor (Saxophone); Andreas Becker, Helmut Bibi & Reinhard Besser (Guitar); Eddie Zyne & Otto Fuss (Drums); Tony Carey (Back. Vocals)

BACK IN the 1980s the female musical domain was mainly restricted to disco or pop... exactly where you would have found Teri. Signed to the flamboyant Casablanca label, her recorded output had consisted of two thoroughly unremarkable albums before the label and new management had the vision to rethink this approach. Focussing on her phenomenal vocal range she was soon cutting one of the great, if undiscovered, melodic rock albums of the era. Recruiting some of the best west coast rock musicians, including Steve Lukather, Steve Porcaro, Mike Landau, Ritchie Zito, and Mike Baird, the album explodes with pure melodic mayhem. Sharp, yet ballsy, every track is pure dynamite just like Pat Benatar and Heart.

Rock Candy Records is pleased to re-released 2 FM masterpieces in its catalogue.

"INDISCREET", FM's debut album, originally released in 1986, was instantly hailed as a genre classic.  A work so carefully crafted and expertly executed that it was immediately identified as an equal of, if not even better than, the majority of US acts that had dominated the AOR scene. Containing gorgeously melodic songs and benefitting from precise arrangements, the results were breathtaking.
Of course, many of the accolades were attributed to Steve Overland’s wonderful vocal delivery. With a one-in-a-million rasp, his voice evokes classic British singers such as Paul Rodgers, Robert Palmer and Rod Stewart in addition to American soul masters such as Otis Redding and Marvin Gaye. Truly, he is one of the world’s greatest, yet unheralded, vocalists. 

"TOUGH IT OUT": FM’s DEBUT album, ‘Indiscreet’, set the scene perfectly. This was a British band with their eyes set firmly on the American market, playing music equal to, if not superior, than masters of the craft such as Foreigner, Journey and Survivor. That they had not earned a significant sales foothold was shocking but it only fuelled their resolve to come back out swinging with the stoically titled, ‘Tough It Out’.

For their second album FM were taking no chances. Arming themselves with new management and a real producer in Neil Kernon (Autograph, Michael Bolton) and topping off their determination by collaborating with some great songwriters (including Desmond Child) they constructed an album of serious potential.
Originally issued in 1989, it takes all the excitement of their first album but infused with top notch production and an energy that suggested they weren’t going to take any prisoners. Mixed by Nigel Green (Def Leppard), the album contains eleven stunning slices of melodic AOR, including such crowd pleasers as ‘Don’t Stop’, ‘Bad Luck’ and ‘Burning My Heart Down’. As always, Steve Overland must be credited for his superlative performance.

EU five CD anthology from the Smooth Jazz/Pop singer/songwriter Michael Franks. Together with Steely Dan, James Taylor and Christopher Cross, Michael Franks is one of the original sculptors of the West Coast/California sound. His musical alchemy is unique: Jazz, Pop, Funk, Bossa, Soft Rock and Fusion.

In 38 years and 18 albums, he has collaborated with the greatest Jazz and Pop musicians and has created some of the most memorable West Coast in the process. This box set offers the best of Franks' output on five CDs. The first four disc are separated into different themes.

The fifth CD contains the rare live recording from Michael Franks with Australian band Crossfire. This 73 track box set contains hits, fan favorites, rarities and so much more.

Rhino

DAKOTA’S DEBUT came out all guns blazing, sporting an AOR coat of armour and brandishing a much heavier, almost quasi pomp rock sound that invited comparison to the likes of Toto, Le Roux, Trillion and Styx. That they were great songwriters was an added bonus, making tracks such as ‘If It Takes All Night’, ‘Crazy Love’ and ‘Restless’ sound like hit singles in the making; a truly superlative slice of period perfect AOR.

DAKOTA’S ‘RUNAWAY’ marks a high point in mid eighties melodic AOR. Radio friendly yet aggressive enough to punch home a message, the album set the tone for years to come, laying the foundations for the likes of Survivor, Mr Mister, Bon Jovi and many more.

For more great reissues, visit RockCandyRecords.com!