R E Vi Ews a L U M Reviews

Home , April Sun in Cuba, Cissy Houston, Dick Griffey, Disco Gardens, Joe Vannelli, Nick Gilder

R E VI EWS A L U M REVIEWS

PIECES OF EIGHT - Styx - A&M SP 4724 - Producer: Styx CHILDREN OF SANCHEZ - Chuck Mangione - A&M SP - List: 7.98 6700 - Producer: Chuck Mangione - List: 14.98 In its follow-up album to the platinum -selling "Grand Illusion" Written for the Hall Bartlett film, "The Children Of Sanchez," effort, Styx have issued an impressive work which focuses upon this two -record set includes 15 musical pieces which features the group's progressive hard -rock stance, intriguing lyrics, and Mangione's exquisite fluegelhorn runs, along with his electric effort, Styx has issued an impressive work which focuses upon and acoustic piano works. Despite being a soundtrack this execution remains the searing guitar riffs of Tommy Shaw and album stands on its own as a purely musical recording, because the spiralling organ and synthesizer runs of DeYoung. Standout Mangione has tailored each composition to fit the ambitious tracks include "Great White Hope" and the title cut on this LP. concept theme of the album. Currently enjoying top chart action Headed for extensive Top 40 and AOR airplay. due to his "Feels So Good" LP and single, this horn man should CITY NIGHTS - Nick Gilder - Chrysalis - CHR 1202 - achieve continued success with this effort. Producers: Peter Coleman and Mike Chapman - List: 7.98 BROTHER TO BROTHER - Gino Vannelll - A&M SP 4722 - Currently enjoying hit single success with "Hot Child In The Producers: Gino Vannelll, Joe Vannelli and Ross Vannelli - City," Nick Gilder has released his second Chrysalis album. List: 7.98 "City Nights" not only contains "Hot Child" but also offers nine With his latest A&M release, Gino Vannelli continues to dis- other numbers which feature Gilder's teasing, high-pitched play his talents as an arresting, strutting vocalist and composer. vocals and British -flavored pop -rock execution. Including "Brother To Brother" finds Vannelli's assured singing backed strong instrumental support from his four -piece backup band, by sleek production and arrangements. Vannelli here is this LP contains such arresting tracks as "(She's) One Of The assisted by the classy jazz textures created by Manuel Badrena Boys" and "Got To Get Out." and Victor Feldman, but his brother Joe Vannelli's keyboard PARALLEL LINES - Blondie - Chrysalis CHR 1192 - work is the chief element in the LP's instrumental formula. For Producer: Mike Chapman - List: 7.98 pop and AOR formats. Here's hoping that producer Mike Chapman can accomplish THINK IT OVER - Cissy Houston - Private Stock PS 7015 - with Blondie what he did with Exile ... namely an across-the- Producer: Michael Zager - List: 7.98 board hit single, cum album. It should work, if the tag "new - Previously known primarily for her stellar background vocal wave" is hence -forth jettisoned, if AOR realizes there's more work with such artists as Elvis Presley and Aretha Franklin, here than a pretty face backed up by a pack of scruffy New Cissy Houston with her new album is set to garner critical ac- Yorkers and that this is Blondie's best effort to date. The third claim and commercial success for her recording performances time's a charm (so they say), thus "Parallel Lines" has all the as a soloist. Houston possesses an extensive vocal range in ad- ear -markings of a chart topping album. dition to exhibiting remarkable tone quality and control, and AS THE TIME FLIES - Frank Weber - RCA AFL1-2963 - "Think It Over" provides a first-rate presentation of her vocal in- Producer: Ed Newmark - List: 7.98 terpretations. Includes the bulleting black contemporary title Influenced by the tender, insightful writing of James Taylor track single. and improvisational jazz textures, Weber on his debut album NO FRILLS - Mark Farner Band - Atlantic SD 19196 - has produced a sensitive work which focuses on his imaginative Producer: Jimmy lovine - List: 7.98 lyrics and pleasant melodies. Throughout the album, Weber As the former lead singer and guitarist for Grand Funk, Mark creates a passionate theme or story and articulates these lyrical Farner has been noted for his charged up, guitar boogie sentiments with delicately -styled arrangements. Accompanied workouts, and with his second solo album he produces more of by attractive cover artwork, this LP is headed for pop, easy the same. For "No Frills," Farner has composed seven new listening and possibly AOR action. songs, all of which display his repertoire of power chords and shouting vocals. Nonetheless, the '60s soul standard "When A WELCOME TO MY ROOM Randy Brown Parachute - - RRLP Man Loves A Woman" is clearly the LP's best cut, featuring 9005 Producers: Homer Banks Hampton List: - and Carl - tasteful production by Jimmy lovine of Patti Smith fame. 7.98 Spurred on by the strong single, "I Wanna Make Love To GET IN THE WIND - Joe Thomas - LRC/T.K. 9321 - You," Randy Brown's new album should establish this singer as Producer: Sonny Lester - List: 7.98 a noteworthy disco/R&B attraction. On "Welcome To My Joe Thomas is a first-rate flute and alto saxophone player Room," Brown showcases his expressive lead vocals, which who is backed here by an array of vocalists and instrumen- easily handle this collection of romantic ballads and sparkling talists. A pulsing, exciting R&B/disco album, "Get In The Wind" upbeat numbers. Also featuring the songwriting and polished features disco versions of Dolly Parton's "Two Doors Down" production of Homer Banks and Carl Hampton, this album is and "Lowdown," but equally effective is Thomas' own composi- highlighted by the single and "Love Is All We Need." tions which dominate side two. Including the single, "Plato's ANY WAY YOU WANT IT - Deborah Washington - Arcola SW Retreat," this LP is suitable for disco, R&B and pop airplay. 50040 - Producer: George Tobin - List: 7.98 BURNIN' - Carol Douglas - Midsong/MCA 3048 - Deborah Washington's debut Ariola album marks one of the Producers: Ed O'Loughlin and John Davis - List: 7.98 first disco -oriented released by the label. "Any Way You Want Carol Douglas has long achieved notoriety for her disco - It" is a colorful disco workout, spotlighting Washington's flavored recordings, and "Burnin' " assures her of solid success whispery, smooth vocals and interesting disco arrangements of within the disco/R&B realm. On her latest album, Douglas dis- such '60s soul classics as "Baby Love," "The Letter" and plays her fluid, sultry vocals, and is supported by a non-stop "Standing In The Shadows Of Love." Although Washington disco beat, capable background harmonies and funky guitar stylistically often mimics Donna Summer's vocal approach, this work. Hot tracks include her version of the Bee Gees' "Night is a worthwhile effort that is suitable for disco and R&B formats. Fever," "Let You Come Into My Life" and the title track single. DIG A LITTLE DEEPER - Latimore - Glades/T.K. 7515 - LOSING YOU TO SLEEP - Tommy Hoehn - London PS 719 Producer: Steve Alaimo - List: 7.98 - Producer: Tommy Hoehn - List: 7.98 With his latest effort, Latimore emerges with a sexy, consis- On his debut London album, Tommy Hoehn establishes him- tent R&B recording. "Dig A Little Deeper" provides an equal self as an articulate, polished rock 'n' roller who combines in- balance of self -penned compositions and worthwhile cover ver- viting melodies with interesting lyrics for a winning formula. sions, highlighted by Rod Stewart's "Tonight's The Night" plus Hailing from Memphis, Hoehn is backed by a first-rate three- Latimore's own "Long Distance Love" and "Out To Get 'Cha." piece outfit, highlighted by the clean guitar licks of Gene Nunez. The key to this artist's success remains his aggressive, raspy Standout tunes on this effort include the single, "Losing You To vocals, which are supported here by solid rhythms and attrac- Sleep," "Hey Polarity" and "Fresh Matches." For pop and AOR tive horn and string charts. formats. ARE YOU OLD ENOUGH - Dragon - Portrait JR 35554 - CAN'T STAND THE REZILLOS - The Rezillos - Sire SRK Producer: Peter Dawkins - List: 7.98 6057 - Producers: Various - List: 7.98 This Is the second album by one of Australia s more promis- It's new, it's punk -rock and it's on Sire. Oceans of indifference ing newcomers. All the elements for commercial acceptance suddenly appear on the horizon and another new wave crests are in full evidence this time out: Crisp, yet full-bodied har- prematurely. It's too bad because the Rezillos are good ... bet- monies, tight, well -modulated, funkified playing, and an in- ter than most, in fact. The vocal trade-offs between Fay Fife and creased sense of compositional polish. "April Sun In Cuba," Eugene Reynold (this year's Sonny & Cher) are eye-openingly "Running Free," "Shooting Stars," and the title cut should gar- adroit yet meaty, with the remaining three members churning ner this deserving bunch of Aussies the AOR/Top 40 action they and grinding away real horror show -like. For gabba -gabba -hey deserve. AOR only. DISCO GARDENS - Shalamar - Solar/RCA BXL1-2895 - THE GREEN ALBUM - Various Artists - Pilgrim PPL 7702 - Producers: Dick Griffey and Leon Sylvers - List: 7.98 Producer: Peter Nicholls - List: 7.98 "Disco Gardens" is a fast -paced disco recording which show- Tulsa has been the home of many fine rock acts, and this cases the exuberant vocals of this trio called Shalamar. sampler of four Tulsa -based acts displays the down-to-earth, Boosted by clean production of Dick Griffey and Leon Sylvers, rocking intensity that this Oklahoma city is noted for. Of keen in- this album serves both as a dance floor gem and as an LP to be terest in this collection are the three songs by the Old Dog Band, enjoyed for purely listening pleasure. "Tossing, Turning, and which is currently the backing band for Gary "Buddy Holly" Swinging," "Shalamar Disco Gardens" and "Stay Close To Busey in Southern California and includes Gary's brother, Love" are three of the tracks on this LP deserving of solid disco, David Busey. Also featured is Rance Wasson, Jim Byfield and R&B and pop chart action. Randy Crouch. Deserving of steady AOR airplay.

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