Cats In Space’s debut album ‘Too Many Gods’ was released in 2015 and rightly won the band many rave reviews. Since then they have toured with  Thunder and played much more gigs. Now they are set to unleash that difficult second album…no not for these cats as they have musical ideas and tunes many bands would love to have. They carry on where they left off on their debut with songs bursting full of melodies, harmony vocals, Andy Stewart’s pomp-tastic keys and some seriously groovy guitar solos courtesy of Greg Hart/Dean Howard. CIS have succeeded in taking their love of 70′s music and adding a modern shine to it all. An top 5 album of the year with ease, Cats In Space have done it again and they're unstoppable !

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVL0J0H6w9c&t=71s

Not many musicians could look back on such a incredible career like Gregg Rolie. As keyboard player and singer, he was a member of two of the most famous bands in the 70’s and 80’s: SANTANA and JOURNEY. After he left JOURNEY, he started a solo career in 1985 with a selftitled classic AOR album. If you like it the way VAN STEPHENSON or STEVE PERRY did, then you will also dig the solo debut of Gregg Rolie. “Young Love” is a fantastic opener, “Close My Eyes” a great midpaced songt, written by Paul Janz and “I Wanna Go Back” a great version of the well known Eddie Money song. A true AOR classic and utterly essential for for every serious AOR lover.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVTKkCHaV3A

'Run For Cover' (1981) was the second Straight Lines album following the self titled debut in 1980, which had the distinction of being engineered by a young Bob Rock. The band played a combination of soft to hard AOR, very much of its era with a sound only 1982 could be responsible for. Straight Lines were never over-heavy and the title track is a firm indication of where they were at musically. Nice melodic riffs and vital harmonies with smooth vocals from Sinclair. Great period AOR in the vein of PLAYER's "Spies Of Life". Just a pity that the band split after a lack of interest from overseas buyers. Bob Buckley and David Sinclair went on to form Body Electric with ex Ironhorse/Union man Frank Ludwig.

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd0B1XcRBs4

Straight Lines were a Canadian AOR outfit feat. the talents of David Sinclair and Bob Buckley, which formed the band under the name Dogstar, which sensibly did not last, as to CBS execs it was far from a commercial selling point. Prouduced by Jack Richardson and Martin Shaer, both veterans of the Canadian rock scene ensured a mature sound. There isn't a track going to waste here, although it is clear the band was a bit rough around the edges when compared to the far smoother 'Run For Cover'. This is actually a heavier record, cue the likes of 'Midnight Woman' and its raw 70's hard rock rhythms that mimic Player's 'Danger Zone' album at its hardest. A lovely debut here without a doubt, don't miss it.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvQUarxLjn4

After years on the circuit, playing a country tinged West Coast type sound, Poco attempt to poke their nose into the melodic rock camp, and guess what? They do real well. This album 'Legacy' (1989) has a few things in it's favour, namely the production camp of David Cole and Richard Marx and some of the friends who helped out, like Lee Sklar, Gary Mallaber, Jeff Porcaro (RIP), C.J Vanston, Joe Chemay and Richard Marx himself. You could actually say that the material here is a pre-cursor to the stuff we're seeing in the new country arena now. I mean .. Restless Heart, Lonestar, Blackhawk .. all have their leanings with the likes of Poco, The Eagles, Rick Nelson etc. So, lets have a listen..

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGEBXL11THc

At last ... The waiting is over ... After twenty-one years, Mr. Misters fourth album, "Pull" sees the light of day. The legendary disc that has been out as a bootleg, and been around among fans around the world is finally out with an amazing sound remastered by Bob Ludwig and great official artwork. This album doesn't contain one single second of bad music. It is pure magic and I dare even to say that it is Mr. Mister's best album. The band took a step back to a more hi-tech sound towards the "Go On" disc (1987).  It's easier to say that I more understand the collaboration Richard did with Pat Leonard a couple of years later after the "Pull"-album called Third Matinee. Pure magic from a phenomenal band !

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIIkuPWPRik

Marc Jordan has always been a top shelf singer/songwriter with 1979's west coast classic 'Blue Desert' and 1987's brilliant 'Talking Through Pictures' the pinnacle of his career. In light of these two excellent albums 'Cow' from what I remember, never received the same attention. Whatever the packaging and political motivations, 'Cow' is a fine album from the waning days of AOR's golden era. 'Big Love' and 'Edge Of The World' is classic Jordan and should send hi tech fans in a tizzy. 'Guns Of Belfast' has all the ingredients of big spacious pop made popular by bands like U2 and Simple Minds. Marc Jordan moved into jazzier territories in recent years and is still active in political causes.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-z6joAhpgE

Marc Jordan has been around the fringes of the West Coast/AOR scene since the early 70's, and has released a few albums in the process. His two albums during this timeframe are considered West Coast classics. 1978's 'Mannequin' the following years 'Blue Desert' rate very highly among the WC trainspotters. By the 80's, Jordan had moved across to RCA. Here he would release two exceptional albums. 1983's 'Hole In The Wall' and this one, 87's Talking Through Pictures'. This is a high-class production job from Jordan, Kim Bullard and Paul DeVilliers, with no expense spared as to the ensemble cast. Imagine a mixture of Mike & The Mechanics, Ian Thomas, The Arrows and Mr. Mister and you'll get the picture.

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjZqvs1uhCo

The Warrior story starts in 1982 with the Boston based band New England (Jimmy Waldo, Gary Shea and Hirsh Gardner), and how their plans to record their fourth album with Todd Rundgren were scuppered when their guitarist, John Fannon, unexpectedly quit the group. Gene Simmons recommended an unknown Vinnie Cusano, who was then helping KISS with their “Creatures Of The Night” opus. The four hit it off, but it was obvious that this was a new band, soon to be christened Warrior. They recorded 6 great hard rock tunes and they also brought in ace singer Fergie Frederiksen (Toto, Le Roux) to record 5 more songs with them. All this material (plus 5 instrumental tracks) is now out for the very first time !

listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ikVD0Py6CI

Kee Marchello (g, ex-EUROPE) and Tommy Heart (v, FAIR WARNING) team up for this melodic rock piece and it works out pretty well. “Mama Don’t Cry“ is a superb (half) ballad while e.g. the opener “The Storm“ offers pure melodic rock. The songs are equally strong although there are no surprises of any kind. Who wants the sound and quality of both Kee Marcello and Tommy Heart, gets exactly that. Bass by Ken Sandin (ALIEN) and produced by Alessandro Del Vecchio (HARDLINE).

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pt9SRbvq-BU

„Through Worlds Of Stardust“ has nothing in common with the mighty first record (1990) and hits like “I’ll Never Let You Go“ or “She’s Gone“. Well, Miljenko Matijevic can sing for sure but this effort lacks melodies and even more a consistent red line. Quite hard and modern (alternative) rock this time. If you put away high expectations, a few tunes, mostly ballads, (e.g. “With Love We Love Again“) show what could have been possible.

MARTIN STARK

watcch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29PDRK8HgNo

The fourth album of the Italian band is great stuff for fans of DEF LEPPARD, MÖTLEY CRÜE, CRAZY LIXX or HARDCORE SUPERSTAR. Eleven songs to have fun with. HELL IN THE CLUB don’t have to hide before anybody. The opener “We Are On Fire“ is more than welcome here. “Houston We’ve Got No Money“ is a killer, too that immediately sticks in your ear and makes you wanna move. A record to be played over and over again once it’s over.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAtOcp4bvfg

DIRTY THRILLS, a pretty young band, apparently likes LED ZEPPELIN and their more recent followers by the likes of RIVAL SONS or INGLORIOUS. “Heavy Living“ nevertheless shows little weakness in terms of songwriting but a first mark has been set. You should definitely keep an eye on this promising London band. Proof of this advice is the dry “Law Man“ or the mighty blues-infused “Drunk Words“.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0urDV6nJuA

You like straight seventies influenced hard rock? WAYWARD SONS with ex LITTLE ANGELS singer Toby Jepson are just like that. Lots of THIN LIZZY flavor or more recently reminiscent of INGLORIOUS. WAYWARD SONS will be a great live band and their ten songs exactly point this out. A rough and powerful sound underlines this perfectly. The indisputable highlight is the extremely cool title song full of THIN LIZY moments.

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4AnYlPOHLw

There was no fourth album of BLACK COUNTRY COMMUNION possible for a long time but finally Glenn Hughes (b/v), Joe Bonamassa (g), Derek Sherinian (keys) and Jason Bonham (d) are back for good. It’s only this very combination of talent that’s able to create that certain magic. Lots of potential new live classics are all over the place here. “Last Song For My Resting Place“, sung by Bonamassa, sticks out a bit with its folk touch. Once again produced by Kevin Shirley (e.g. DREAM THEATER).

MARTIN STARK

watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNFmtxlLU4w

Ex- SHY and TNT singer Tony Mills has his seventh solo album ready to go and it's finally a return to the classic melodic rock style with big hooks / choruses. Over the last couple of years he has released some different sounding albums more in the metal mould, but here's the real deal for lovers of the classic SHY sound. With contributions from Joel Hoekstra (Night Ranger), Robby Böbel (Frontline),Tommy Denander and Neil Frazer (Ten) and songs written by Robby Böbel, Paul Sabu, Tom & James Martin (Vega) you can be sure to get something special. The feel of the album is often very Shy-like mainly because it's full of uncomplicated melody and songs that get into your head very easily. A plesant return for Mr. Mills !

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BUNeWpptWM

BLACK BAMBI's self-titled album recorded in 1990 is another example of a band that has it all to make it big: great musicianship, the looks, a recording contract with Atlantic Records and a top producer in Beau Hill. However, they were missing an important factor; luck. Opening slots with both Badlands and The Black Crowes followed and BLACK BAMBI were primed for major success. And then the bottom fell out. Musically "Black Bambi" is pure late '80s sounding classic hard rock, with mature songwriting and that slick production from the era. Think a mix of The Cult 'Sonic Temple', Tesla, Badlands, Vain, Atomic Playboys, etc. Finally out on CD and the remastering sounds great, so get it pronto !

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EISXm-VUCNA

Sensational slice of melodic hard rock from these New York residents. Based around the vocal talent of Hugo Valenti, who it seems has a penchant for all things Journey. Having Neil Kernon onboard does help, and I feel he gets to experiment a bit on this album, with some interesting production techniques. All in all a complete overview of what AOR in 1990 is all about when done properly. With instant classics like In The Night', 'Where Are You Now' and the duo ballads of 'Never Said It Was Going To Be Easy' and 'You'll Always Have Me'. Elsewhere, the strong melodic theme continues with 'Someday', 'We Run' and the cutting 'Runnin' On Luck Again'. All the way through it's a great listen. Rock Candy re-issue.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-jonghPinc

ST. PARADISE were, it must now be said, an overlooked supergroup. They were formed by two former members of Ted Nugent’s band; singer / guitarist Derek St. Holmes and bassist Rob Grange. Joining them on drums was Denny Carmassi whose accomplishments already included a four album stint with Montrose and with Sammy Hagar’s solo band. Enlisting the help of producer Mike Flicker (Heart, Trooper) the band establishing a sound very much informed by their previous outfits, yet keeping a keen eye on the future. Issued in 1979, sadly the record underperformed despite its impressive content and potential to impress. Digitally remastered re-issue from Rock Candy records.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8AIyDMIOpU

Back in 1975 Gary Wright became a world star due to the album "The Dream Weaver".  "Dream Weaver" and "Love Is Alive" both hit the number 2 spot in the American Billboard Hot 100. So finally, after years with Spooky Tooth, Wright became a star in his own right. Strangely enough two years later the album "The Light of Smiles" couldn't arouse the same enthusiasm.  Why ?   I guess it had something to do with the music scene undergoing a drastic change.  Punk and new wave were the new hype. Nevertheless "The Light of Smiles" harbours some fine songs, i.e. "Water Sign", "Time Machine", "The Light Of Smiles" and "Are You Weepin'". Rock Candy re-issue, digitally remastered.

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmO8BO2U9To

With this album, Gary Wright, ex-keyboardist of prog-rockers Spooky Tooth, followed the trail blazed by another young English rocker who'd gone solo, crossed the Atlantic and met with chart success, to wit, Peter Frampton. This album made the US top 10 with two of the singles hitting the top 3 on the Billboard 100 too although he wasn't able to fully follow up his success and was soon afterwards hitting the cut-out racks as the advent of punk and new-wave made inroads into the commercial marketplace. In truth Wright was closer to the synthy sounds of Yes than Frampton's guitar-based soft-rock, albeit with shorter, poppier material which caught on for a time with American FM radio stations. Rock Candy re-issue.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHHOWroSROU

Never change a winning team! So it's no surprise that guitarist Rolf Munkes hired former BLACK SABBATH members Neil Murray and Tony Martin again to work with him on "The Raven Ride". The line-up gets completed by drummer Andre Hilgers of AXXIS and SILENT FORCE fame. Together those guys recorded an excellent piece of Heavy Metal that is the perfect stuff for the fans of BLACK SABBATH'S classic "Headless Cross" album. Among the ten songs you can find six real killers: „The Raven Ride“, „Breathe“, „Satanic Curses“, „What Would I Do?“, „Changing World“ and „The Devil Speaks, The Sinner Cries“.Since the other four songs are also very strong there's just one advice - buy it at all costs !

Listen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fs3p5BPVWlM

After a surprising line-up change - singer Glynn Morgan (once again) replaces Damian Wilson - THRESHOLD manage to put out one of their very best albums. Die Brits and their highly melodic progressive metal which is always complex but never too sophisticated, are very hard to beat these days. Tonal dream worlds (“Superior Machine“ or “Lost In Translation“) and driving grooves (“On The Edge“ or “Snowblind“) are all over the place. A strong contender for the album of the year!

MARTIN STARK

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NCuOe4zJk