UNITED NATIONS - The First Move (1985)

Stoke-on-Trent, UK, based band UNITED NATIONS were part of the '80s British AOR wave, formed at the beginning of the decade and developing a sound / style similar to their contemporaries Tobruk, Charlie, Monro, etc.
Their one and only album "The First Move" was released via small label Magnet in 1985, but unfortunately, soon after the group went their separate ways.

The opening song titled “Sound Of The Eighties” speaks for itself: indeed this is the mid-'80s melodic rock / AOR sound filled with catchy choruses and melodies.
"You Cheated" is another instant favorite, and more highlights appear with "We Will Live Forever" and "Black Heart", while on other songs United Nations explore some different sounds providing variation.



The core of United Nations recorded a comeback album some years ago, re-working some of the tunes from this LP along with new ones.
A very hard to find vinyl, "The First Move" never was reissued on CD or any other format.
This is a LP-rip cleaned to get the best sound quality possible.



01 - Sound Of The Eighties
02 - The Night That Last Forever
03 - The First Move
04 - You Cheated
05 - Common Denominator
06 - Violation Of A Freedom
07 - We Will Live Forever
08 - Blackheart
09 - Speak After The Tone
10 - Paying The Price Of Love

Paul Cafferty – Lead and Backing Vocals
Gary Davis – Guitars, Backing Vocals
Peter Hankey – Bass
Chris Mooney – Drums, Backing Vocals
Chris Stonier – Keyboards


UNITED NATIONS - The First Move HERE

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NIKKI CRUZE - Nikki Cruze (1995)

Hailing from British Columbia, Canada, despite their name NIKKI CRUZE weren't a glam hard rock / sleaze band. They were not exactly a band but a duo, and while this, their self-titled album was released in 1995, their musical style is pure '80s inspired Melodic Rock / AOR.
The album is not the case - as happened with many acts - which recorded their songs in the Eighties and only got the chance to release them several years later; nope, NIKKI CRUZE wanted to play this melodious, feel-good kind of music in the midst of the dark, depressive grunge peak, because they wanted to.

Of course, no recording label bet a dime for NIKKI CRUZE in the mid-Nineties, but again, they didn't care, and released "Nikki Cruze" by themselves.
Consisting of lead vocalist Robin Lei Tietz and Craig Passant, both multi-instrumentalists as well, NIKKI CRUZE delivers here some awesome tunes and melodies.
While all managed by themselves and taped at different recording facilities, the album production, mix and mastering is very good.

The first thing that comes to mind when listening to "Nikki Cruze" is '80s Triumph commercial era, not for both being of Canadian origin, but simply because Robin Lei Tietz has a vocal color and phrasing very similar to Rik Emmett.
There's many other comparison to make such as Flyweil, some Def Leppard or Marchello, even some Hugo in the AOR moments.



All songs are strong, and really good. When original released, several copies appeared overseas, and the mouth to mouth even reached Japan. So NIKKI CRUZE did a re-release by popular demand from fans in the UK, Germany, Italy, USA, and Japan. Of course, the disc is a collectors piece nowadays.


01 - Comin' Home
02 - Joe's Song
03 - So Many Nights
04 - Open Up The Skies
05 - You Were With Me
06 - Stop The Blast
07 - You Are The Light
08 - Say Goodnight
09 - Again
10 - We Rock

Robin Lei Tietz - lead & background vocals, drums, guitars
Craig Passant - guitars, bass, keyboards, backing vocals


NIKKI CRUZE - Nikki Cruze (1995) HERE

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WILD FORCE - Wild Force [CD version +2] (1987)

Coming from Finland, WILD FORCE's self titled debut album from 1987 is just another amazing example of the effervescent Scandinavian melodic rock AOR scene during the second half of the Eighties. Their musical style is spread over guitar riff / keyboard driven anthemic songs in the style of Europe, Craaft, Dalton, etc.
Clean vocals, melodic riffs, catchy choruses filled with soaring harmonies and of course loads of synths - but classic organ as well are the heart of the game here.

The band has an energetic approach too on many tracks such as opener "S.O.P.H.I.A.", "Play It Loud", melodic rocker "It's Been A Hard Time" or "Don't Rush Your Fortune".
However it's on the melodious midtempo AOR numbers where Wild Force excels. "Frozen Hearts", "Take Me Far Away", slow paced "I've Been Running Away" or the classy "You Give Me More" are the kind of ivory stuff we all love, while ballad "I Want You To Stay" is plenty of atmosphere'




Bonus tracks for this CD version are worthy too, including the pumping "No Guarantee" and the great remix of "S.O.P.H.I.A." which turned the song into an almost new song.
Pretty unknown by many "Wild Force" is a very good, enjoyable slice of Scandinavian melodic rock AOR with all the magic feeling of an era.


01 - S.O.P.H.I.A.
02 - Frozen Hearts
03 - Take Me Far Away
04 - It's Been A Hard Time
05 - Holiday On The Radio
06 - Play It Loud
07 - I've Been Running Away
08 - Don't Rush Your Future
09 - You Give Me More
10 - I Want You To Stay
CD Bonus Tracks:
11 - No Guarantee
12 - S.O.P.H.I.A. (Freak Mix)

Chris R-Holm - lead vocals, guitars
Jan Stolpe - lead guitar, backing vocals
Tom Jansson - bass, keyboards
Putte Ozzie Jansson - drums





WILD FORCE - Wild Force [CD version +2] (1987) HERE
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ONE TO ONE - 1-2-1 (1988)

Created by Ottawa based songwriter / producer /musician Leslie Howe, ONE TO ONE was a successful '80s Canadian duo completed by female vocalist / songwriter Louise Reny.
Both
worked on Alanis Morissette's first two albums and helped to her upcoming stardom.

ONE TO ONE recorded 3 albums, the first more synth-pop oriented, this second effort "1-2-1" in the same vein but adding classy Canadian Hi-Tech lite AOR touches akin Device, Angela And The Rude, Transvision Vamp, etc
Then they released a third and last in the early Nineties changing their name to One 2 One.

"1-2-1" is an entertaining, cool 88's poppy album from the Cancon factory, well composed and produced, techie, but including hot guitar solos and keys.
The catchy first single 'Hold Me Now', 'Not A Love Song' (featuring a rocking guitar solo), the joyful 'Do You Believe', the excellent 'Inside These Eyes', and the fine mid-tempo AORish 'Heading For Zero' are among my favorites.




Despite of the good sales and nomination for three Juno Awards, ONE TO ONE never impacted into the US market, and all their albums are really hard to find, especially this '1-2-1' CD version.


01 - Hold Me Now
02 - Love Child
03 - We've Got The Power
04 - Do You Believe
05 - Heading For Zero
06 - Inside These Eyes
07 - Victorious
08 - Voices Cry
09 - Life Is So Easy
10 - Not A Love Song

Louise Reny - vocals
Leslie Howe - guitars, synth bass, keyboards, programming
Frank Levin - keyboards


ONE TO ONE - 1-2-1 (1988) HERE
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NEW FRONTIER - New Frontier (1988)

Formed by renowned musicians from the American music industry, NEW FRONTIER cut this one and only, self-titled album in 1988. Despite of being released by a small record label, "New Frontier" smell 'major production' from every corner. There's the great Richie Zito at the producer's chair, also playing additional guitar and keyboards.

Frontman in New Frontier is no other Monty Byrom from AORsters Billy Satellite, on bass Glenn Letsch (Montrose, Gamma, Jonathan Cain Band), keyboardist David Neuhauser (Lance, Eddie Money), and you have contribution from the likes of John Keane, Martin Page, Tommy Funderburk, Timothy B. Schmit, and more.
Impressive cast, and some impressive songs as well.

These musicians have played on countless albums and bands, and varied, different styles. So it's not surprising to find divers tunes on "New Frontier". Overall, the first half (Side A) is melodic rock / AOR / radio friendly with sound ranging from John Waite to Nelson. Then Side B is bluesier, bringing to mind .38 Special more AORish moments.
The song 'I Think About You', written by Michael Bolton & Martin Briley in the early '80s, feels like a Eddie Money song from the era.



With all members busy into several projects / session work / songwriting for other artists id the industry, New Frontier resulted short lived, but leave this easy to ears, melodic album with that '80s imprint all over.


01 - Under Fire
02 - American Dream
03 - Love Is Stronger Than The Heart
04 - Change For The Better
05 - Standing In My Tears
06 - Lonesome Blues
07 - I Think About You
08 - Motel Rain
09 - Burning The Page
10 - Riverboat Man

Monty Byrom: Lead Vocals, Guitars
David Neuhauser: Piano, Hammond B-3, Synths, Vocals
Glenn Letsch: Bass, Vocals
Marc Nelson: Drums
with:
Richie Zito: Additional Guitars, Keyboards
Paulinho Da Costa: Percussion
John Keane: Drums
Larry Williams: Sax on 7
Martin Page: Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Tommy Funderburk, Joe Pizzulo, Timothy B. Schmit, Maxine & Julia Tillman Waters: Backing Vocals



NEW FRONTIER - New Frontier (1988) HERE
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SURRENDER DOROTHY - Surrender Dorothy (1992)

American melodic hard rockers SURRENDER DOROTHY arrived a little too late into the scene with their self-titled 1992's debut album, but glad they did it.
While the band was formed in the '80s, they had no luck with a major label singing. However the group managed to record this album and release it by themselves.

This New Jersey band - including guitarist Rocco Mazzella, previously in Tangier - were really good at their game: polished US melodic hard with that late '80s feel and polished production for the genre as it was used circa 1990-91.
While Woody Joe Orner's vocal timbre recalls Danger Danger's Ted Poley (check out opener 'Fire in the Sky') the album's overall sound oscillates between Damn Yankees and Night Ranger.

With titles like 'Rock City', 'Hit and Run' (one of my favorites), or the keyboard filled "Just Another Nuthin' (You Are)" you can expect fun rockers with pumping bass lines, slick riffs and catchy choruses - all members contribute harmony vocals.



Of course there's a power ballad (and a good one) in 'Only the Night', and slightly bluesy rockers such as 'Nature of the Beast'. For the end, Surrender Dorothy delivers their more elaborated track in 'Faith Healer' with interesting passages.

A quite unknown band from the late American Melodic Hard Rock movement, talented and solid in songwriting and performances.


01 - Fire in the Sky
02 - Sittin' Pretty
03 - Only the Night
04 - Rock City
05 - Hit and Run
06 - Nature of the Beast
07 - Just Another Nuthin' (You Are)
08 - Long Legged Sadie (Back Street Lady)
09 - When My Baby's Not My Babe
10 - Faith Healer

Woody Joe Orner - Lead Vocals
Richie Mahn - Guitars, Vocals
Rocco Mazzella - Guitars, Vocals
Mike Kost - Bass, Vocals
Karl Monahan - Drums, Percussion
Bill Saltzer - Keyboards, Vocals


SURRENDER DOROTHY - Surrender Dorothy (1992)
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BENNY HESTER - Perfect (1989)

Released in 1989, BENNY HESTER's album "Perfect" is one of the best examples of the American '80s CCM Lite AOR. With a career staring in the Seventies and with a FM rock / Soft Rock / Wast coast touches, Benny's music was widely popular especially in the second half of the '80s.

Aiming for the Adult contemporary charts, "Perfect" is far from its title, yet easily listenable and very enjoyable. The style of the music and the year of production demanded a pristine, crystal clear output and that's exactly what you'll find here.

Handled by expert Bill Baumgart behind the desk, the recording label secured the presence of top notch session musicians, like Toto's Jeff Porcaro at the drum kit, Neil Stubenhaus on bass, etc.



With a balance of synth-driven rockers and smooth power ballads, songs like the upbeat "Headlights On The Highway" (my favorite), the dynamic "If You Die Before You Die", "Two Good Reasons" (akin John Waite solo), or the sweet title track (with a West Coast feel) are among the best cuts here. There's a surprisingly hot guitar solo on the rocker "Passion, Possession, Position", another good one.
A nice, cool late 80s album.


01 - Headlights On The Highway
02 - Before You Know It
03 - If You Die Before You Die
04 - Perfect
05 - Hungry World
06 - You Weren't Meant To Live Your Life Alone
07 - Two Good Reasons
08 - This One's For Keeping
09 - Passion, Possession, Position
10 - Shall We Gather At The River

Benny Hester - Lead & Background Vocals
Jeff Porcaro - Drums
Pete Pfiefer - Percussion
Marty Walsh - Guitars
Neil Stubenhaus - Bass
Aaron Zigman, Tim Heintz - Keyboards
Bob Carlisle, Bill Baumgart, Allison Beech - Background Vocals


BENNY HESTER - Perfect (1989) HERE
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THE TRUTH - Weapons Of Love (1987)

The last album (1989) from British rockers THE TRUTH was featured at this blog some years ago, now one of you requested their previous and record, "Weapons Of Love".
This 1987 release was an unexpected success in America, with the title track reaching #7 on the Rock single charts and general Billboard Hot 100. Three songs from the album were also used in the great sci-fi movie 'The Hidden', and other in a Miami Vice episode.

The music packed in "Weapons Of Love" is commercial radio-ready rock with clean vocals, precise guitars, fine synths typical from the era, and an overall polished production sound.
Helped by ex-Mr. Mister drummer Pat Mastelotto and keyboardist Paul Fox (XTC), the only stable and founder members Dennis Greaves (Lead Vocals & Guitar) & Mick Lister (Vocals, Guitar) recorded a bunch of highly enjoyable '80s tunes here.



At places on this album The Truth bring to mind Mr. Mister, others the likes of Michael Learns To Rock, the lighter side of Honeymoon Suite, etc.
Good 80s album.


01 - Weapons Of Love
02 - Winterland
03 - Until It Burns
04 - The Edge Of Town
05 - Cover Up My Face
06 - Respect
07 - Come On Back To Me
08 - This Way Forever
09 - Another New Day
10 - Soul Deep Fascination

Dennis Greaves: Lead Vocals & Guitar
Mick Lister: Vocals, Guitar
Dennis Herring: Guitar, Keyboards, Programming
Pat Mastelotto: Drums
John Pierce: Bass
John Van Tongeren, Paul Fox: Keyboards
Pat MacDonald: Harmonica
Davey Faragher: Backing Vocals




THE TRUTH - Weapons Of Love (1987)- HERE
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PIONEERS - In A State Of Rock (1984) restored audio

Signed by major label Mercury, Norwegians PIONEERS released this debut LP "In A State Of Rock" in 1984. The album has become a piece of interest because PIONEERS feature into the line up guitarist Torstein Flanke, future founder / member of STAGE DOLLS.
Their musical style was the incipient Scandinavian Melodic Rock / AOR sound of the mid-Eighties; anthemic poppy choruses ready for the arenas, something that catapulted Europe to stardom two years after.
You can say these guys were 'Pioneers' indeed.

There's songs like the mid-paced 'Walk In The Moonlight' or the commercial melodic rocker 'With A Girl Like You' which are straight pop-rock tunes destined to radio airplay. However "In A State Of Rock" delivers much more than your typical Scandy fluff.
Tracks like 'Pioneers' and 'Number One' offer more rocking guitars, on 'Pictures Of You' experiments with melodic new wave, and 'Pictures Of You' is an atmospheric ballad.

As far I know "In A State Of Rock' made it pretty well in Norway, but the group disbanded pursuing different interests. Flanke founded STAGE DOLLS and got success worldwide. You can hear some of his skills as songwriter / guitarist here.
Never pressed on CD or reissued, this is a clear LP vinyl-rip, cleaned and audio restored by myself.
A rarity.


1. Hi-Energy
2. Annie
3. Walk In The Moonlight
4. Pioneers
5. With A Girl Like You
6. Today
7. Pictures Of You
8. Number One
9. Pictures Of You

Knut J. Dahle - Vocals
Torstein Flanke - Guitars
Bard Svendsen - Keyboards
Morten Skaget - Bass
Steinar Krokstad - Drums




PIONEERS - In A State Of Rock (1984) restored audio
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PARTLAND BROTHERS - Electric Honey (1986)

Call 'em Rock&pop, Lite AOR, mainstream FM Rock, whatever you want; but to sum up, PARTLAND BROTHERS debut LP "Electric Honey" is a true definition of the mid-Eighties sound. To be more specific, the 'Canadian Sound'.

Founded by, indeed, brothers G.P. & Chris Partland, the main characteristic of this band / duo is their twin melodius harmony vocals (both sing lead), and of course, the pristine production design. Handled by Vini Poncia (Kiss, Tycoon, Adrenalin) and Jim Vallance (Bryan Adams), the album's sound is crystal clear.

Among the musicians involved into the recording, there's Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve (Loverboy) on bass, Richard Evans (Rik Emmett Band) and Gerald O'Brien (Zappacosta) on keys, Anton Fig (Kiss, John Waite) on drums, and many other seasoned cats.



Musically, songs like 'Outside The City' (my favorite including awesome synths), midtempo 'Best Love', the elegant ballad 'Reason', or the Vallance-produced 'One Chance' were written with FM Radio play in mind.
'Soul City' become an unexpected hit single in Canada and reached the Top 30 on Billboard Hot 100 Chart in the U.S. This earned the Partland Brothers an extensive tour all over North America.
The band continued all over these years, still active today.
Cool, nice '80s music.


01 - Electric Honey
02 - Best Love
03 - Soul City
04 - Heat Up The Feel
05 - Outside The City
06 - That's The Way It Will Be
07 - Walk With Me
08 - Reason
09 - This One's For You
10 - One Chance

G.P. Partland - Lead & Backing Vocals, Percussion
Chris Partland - Guitar, Lead & Backing Vocals
John Bride, Simon Brierley, Domenic Troiano - Guitar
Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve - Bass
Anton Fig, Greg Critchley. Matt Frenette - Drums
Richard Evans, Gerald O'Brien - Keyboards
John Johnson, Jimmy Romeo, Earl Seymour - Horns
Kelly Partland, Colina Phillips, Shawne Jackson, Sharon Williams - Backing Vocals
Produced by Vini Poncia & Jim Vallance




PARTLAND BROTHERS - Electric Honey
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