REVIEWS /\ L g U M REVIEWS CALIFORNIA JAM 2 Various Artists Columbia PC2- - - NATALIE ... LIVE! Natalie Cole 35389 Producers: Various List: 13.98 - - Capitol SKBL-11709 - - - Producers: Charles Jackson, Marvin Yancy This double live documentation of the outdoor and Gene Barge - rock event is List: 11.98 nothing short of spectacular. "California Jam 2" is quite a Recorded live in Los Angeles and in New Jersey, superlative live sampler of a good cross-section of America's this two - record set spectacularly captures the beautiful, energized top rock talent. All acts (with the regrettable exception of per Bob formances of Natalie Welch and Foreigner) that appeared are faithfully represented. Cole at her most exciting. Cole's soulful, jazzy voice is in fine form here, Heart, Santana, and Aerosmith are standouts, with Mahogany as she gracefully handles this varied collection of tunes ranging from Rush, Ted Nugent, Dave Mason and Rubicon offering excellent the gospel "I'm Catching Hell" to "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds," competition during their portions of the program. and of course, her several hit GET IT OUT'CHA SYSTEM Millie Jackson singles. For pop, R&B and MOR formats. - - NIGHTWATCH Spring/Polydor SP -1-6719 - Producers: Brad Shapiro and - Kenny Loggins - Columbia JC 35387 - Millie Jackson - List: 7.98 Producer: Bob James - List: 7.98 With her last album approaching platinum status, Millie Hot off his top selling debut solo album after breaking up his Jackson has affirmed her position as a vocalist/composer/co- partnership with Jim Messina, Kenny Loggins has emerged with a follow-up producer of major proportions. Jackson's latest effort is a tasty. satisfying effort. On this album Loggins suc- cessfully affectionate assortment of her own compositions plus a few well blends sophisticated jazz textures with hard -rocking chosen cover renditions, including Kenny Rogers' "Sweet rhythms fo a sound that can only be called singer/songwriter

fusion . Music Man." Jackson's expressive vocals remain powerful yet mu Exquisitely produced by jazzman Bob James, this controlled on this LP, which also boasts fine string and horn LP is highli hted by such cuts as "Somebody Knows" and the ti- arrangements. tle track. F r a variety of formats. PETER GABRIEL Atlantic SD 19181 - - Producer: Robert DREAM aptain & Tennllle A&M SP -4707 Producer: Fripp List: - - - - 7.98 Daryl Drag n - List: 7.98 As the lead singer and composer of Genesis for seven years, With the fifth American album, the Captain & Tennille have and now as a solo artist, Peter Gabriel has attracted a devoted emerged h another inviting, infectious collection of pop -rock legion of pop fans and critics for his ingenious, imaginative confection Containing a balanced selection of playful upbeat progressive rock recordings. Gabriel is one of the very few per- tunes and i timate, tender ballads, this LP is sure to please the formers who can expertly combine sophisticated studio duo's larg ollowing. "Love Me Like A Baby" and "Dixie Hum- technology with his passion for the personal, human emotions mingbird" e just two of the many appealing tracks on this ef- derived from traditional rock 'n' roll. A more unified set of songs fort. Tennil 's vocals remain in top form on this LP, which is for than his first solo effort, this LP will assure Gabriel of vast AOR Top 40 an OR playlists. and Top 40 success. SPARK OIL LOVE Lenny Williams WHITE MANSIONS Various Artists A&M SP -6004 -K - - ABC AA -1073 - - - Producer: ank E. Wilson Producer: Glyn Johns List: 9.98 - List: 7.98 - With his second ABC solo album since Complete with a 28 -page illustrated booklet, 'White Man- leaving Tower Of Power, Len iy Williams has created a fiery, invigorating sions' tells the musical tale of the destruction of southern work which even betters his stellar effort last vulture during the American Civil War. Englishman Paul Ken- year. "Spark Of Love" boasts supe-ior production and arrangments ierly conceived the project and wrote all the songs. Waylon that spur Williams to sing at hi ; explosive, riveting best, while also Jennings and Jessi Colter play a major role in this epic story providing fans with several first-rate dance floor numbers. ;upported by country, rock and folk music. A project as enor- Highlighted by the aching "You Got Me Running" and nous and difficult as 'White Mansions' rarely materializes, but "Midnight Girl, this LP is a pop, R&B, and disco pick. he beauty of this album is that it instructs as well as entertains. STRANGERS - Johnny Bristol - Atlantic SD 19134 - IN THE Ni HT -TIME - Michael Henderson - Buddah BKOS 'roducer: Johnny Bristol - List: 7.98 5712 - Pr ucer: Michael Henderson - List: 7.98 With his latest effort, Johnny Bristol has concocted another Michael enderson's current single, "Take Me I'm Yours," is stirring, dynamic work that displays Bristol's versatile skills as a a fine exa le of the expressive vocal performances and solid ;finger/songwriter/producer/arranger. Every track on his arrangeme is that prevail on this pop/R&B disc. On "Take Me", album features soaring, fluid vocals that are supported by a po- Henderson full, powerful and distinctive voice is assisted by ent rhythm section, infectious female background vocals plus the pleasa accompaniment of vocalist Rena Scott. In addition

>right, shimmering to , horn and string charts. Including the upbeat the singl "Happy," and "Am I Special" are also standouts. Strangers In Dark Corners" and the intimate, surging ballad, For a varie of formats. She's So Amazing," this LP is an extremely strong pop and &B pick. FAME - ace Jones - Island ILPS 9525 - Producer: Tom Moulton 1st: 7.98 ,ETTING GO Lori Lieberman Millennium/Casablanca - - - Grace J es created a big splash IINLP 8005 Producer: Paul Leka List: 7.98 among disco fans with her - - first Island Ibum, and with the much anticipated A singer/songwriter who has long been underrated, Lori "Fame" she seems cert n to win over both disco strutters and mainstream ieberman on her latest LP has delivered a powerful, moving pop fans. fork that displays her versatile pop skills. Lieberman is LP displays sizzling, pulsing arrangements by John Davis us crisp production ossesses an evocative, wide-ranging voice which comfortably by Tom Moulton. Jones' voice has contin d to improve, and the andles this intimate, challenging assortment of tunes. The use of whispery female backgroun vocals is also effective, Ibum's material focuses upon Lieberman's own compositions, adding up to a solid package of isco and pop excitement. ut also features the Eagles' "After The Thrill Is Gone" and other over versions. For pop, MOR and possibly AOR play. GIVING IT AC K - Phil Hurtt - Fantasty F-9552 - Producer: ;INGLE - Bill Champlin - Full Moon/Epic JE35367 - Phil Hurtt List: 7.98 'roducer: David Foster List: - 7.98 Having mposed "I'll Be Around" for the Spinners and In The Beginning there were the Airplane, the Dead, Big "Sunshine' or the O'Jays, Phil Hurtt is not exactly a newcomer irother, Quicksilver, and the Sons of Champlin. Always a cult to the pop ene. On his debut album, Hurtt has emerged with a 3vorite, the Sons finally called it a day recently and we now have soulful, co pelling work which features his vocal, songwriting roup king pin Bill Champlin on his own and "Single." An ex- and produ on skills. Hurtt is a capable, appealing vocalist, but ellent album, this work displays an over-all spirit that is in- both it is his ex essive material that makes this effort a winner. In 3ctious and good-timey with the accent on tight, rollicking funk addition, th LP is boosted by tasty arrangements from Richie nd stirring ballads. In short, an auspicious, competent debut Rome. y a veteran in cahoots with producer David Foster. EDITH PI AT CARNEGIE HALL: JANUARY 13, OMMON GROUND Paul Winter A&M Records SP -4698 1957 - - - Peters Inte ational PLC 2014/15 Producer: - Producers: Paul Winter, - None Listed - Oscar Castro -Neves and David List: 9.98 reene List: 7.98 - Recorde in 1957, five years before A conceptual recording that uniquely explores the musical her death, this two- record set ptures Piaf's vocal artistry in peak )unds of whales, wolves and eagles, Paul Winter's fifth A&M form. The Gar- negie enga ment was originally recorded for one-time bum blends the oboe instrument with the 'singing' of an broad - cast on Eu pean radio, but after lengthy negotiations, sgle, the cello with the 'performance' of a whale, and the sax the album has een made available for commercial release. ith a timber wolf for an experimental work that is highly suc- The LP's song r pertoire is effectively divided between assful. Also supported by African chants and Brazilian French and English co positions, and features superb orchestral iythms, this LP is deserving pop attention. and of choral arra ements. HE RHINO ROYALE - Various Artists - Rhino RNLP 002 - roducers: Harold Bronson and Richard Foos - List: 7.98 ADOLESC NT SEX - Japan - Ariola SW 50037 - Producer: This is funny stuff: A 12 -track sampler from the guys at Rhino Ray Singe List: 7.98 ecords of L.A. (a store and indie label ... sort of a poor man's Althoug this quintet calls itself Japan, the group hails from ritish Virgin Records) of demented hysteria and tasty bad Britain and oes not exhibit any Asian flavoring in its music. Dis- ste. "Artists" making the scene include Wild Man Fischer, tinctly a ha -rock outfit, Japan is led by the aggressive vocals suben Guevara, and Fred Blassie. AOR should sandwich a few of David S ian and the guitar work of Rob Dean. Containing its in between their normal routines to keep their phones ac - such unus I song titles as "The Unconventional," "Wish You 'e. If not, we still have the party record of the year on our Were Blac and "Transmission," this LP is suitable for AOR ands. airplay.

ash Box/July 8, 1978 13 www.americanradiohistory.com