Jeff Babko, Jeff Coffin, Vinnie Colaiuta - MONDO TRIO
Essentially an experimental vehicle allowing Jeff Babko to delve into some of the more subversive aspects of his multi-faceted musicality, this renegade trio offering is also a brilliant showcase for all-world drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, who is turned loose on these nine tracks with a vengeance, and also for the audaciously adventurous saxophonist Jeff Coffin [Bela Fleck and the Flecktones]. Together these three highly creative musical forces push the envelope on funk, fusion and organ trio jazz originals with some cathartic, scintillating results. You can listen to all tracks and buy the album at, http://www.abstractlogix.com/xcart/product.php?productid=22054 so don't hesitate to check it out! .
Stephen Duros - THIRA
TOTO's lighting designer and tour cartoonist Stephen "Astro" Duros is also a gifted flamenco guitarist and has just released his fabulous second album called "Thira". You can listen to all tracks and buy the album at, http://ssri.biz/index.php?c=76 so don't hesitate to check it out! .
Chicago - CHICAGO XXX
Chicago have just released their new album "Chicago XXX" which features Bobby Kimball doing background vocals on "Caroline" and Joseph Williams providing background vocals on "King of Might Have Been". You can now order it at Amazon.com.
Brian Culbertson - IT'S ON TONIGHT
Stephen Lu has been keyboard tech on tour with TOTO for the last 2 years and beside that he's also a successful writer and producer. He recently collaborated on seven songs of jazz keyboardist Brian Culbertson's new album "It's On Tonight" which also features guest performances by Patti Austin, Will Downing and Kirk Whalum among others. You can now order it at Amazon.com.
Christian Tolle Project - THE REAL THING
Steve Lukather plays guitar solos on the songs "The Real Thing" and "Back to the Moon" of the new album of the Christian Tolle Project which has been released on the label CTM in Germany. It's available at AOR Heaven or directly at the Christian Tolle Website. "The Real Thing" offers dynamic yet melodic rock songs ranging from a beautiful ballad like "First Time" to midtempo and lots of uptempo tracks.
Boz Scaggs - GREATEST HITS LIVE
David Paich is featured in the "Back Stage" Extras portion of the new Boz Scaggs DVD "Greatest Hits Live". He is heard introducing Boz on tour with his quartet, and seen backstage rehearsing the introductions and visiting with Boz and the band. Other highlights of this DVD include the version of Harbor Lights on the But Beautiful Tour (also part of the Extras portion) with a spellbinding sax solo. You can now order it at Amazon.com.
Andy Timmons and the Pawn Kings - OFFICIAL LIVE BOOTLEG
Recorded in 1998 at the now defunct Blue Cat Blues in Deep Ellum, the CD captures what many witnessed on any given Wednesday between 1995 and 2001... a great band having a great time. In addition to some original blues tunes, the CD includes some great covers such as "Black Magic Woman", Gary Moore's "The Loner", and "Come Together". The CD is now available from www.andytimmons.com.
Pink - TRY THIS
The new Pink album features David Paich playing keyboard and organ on five songs including the first single "Trouble".
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Various Artists - STAIRWAY TO ROCK - (NOT JUST) A LED ZEPPELIN TRIBUTE
"Stairway to rock" is a collection of Led Zeppelin highlights interpreted on the intersecting line of heavy metal and hip hop. Among the featured musicians is Steve Lukather playing guitar on "Whole lotta love". The album has been released on Edel Records.
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Various Artists - INFLUENCES AND CONNECTIONS 1, MR. BIG
This tribute album to Mr Big features musicians that are all an influence upon, or connected in some way, to Mr. Big. Steve Lukather plays guitar on "Price you gotta pay" with vocals by Glenn Hughes. The CD also contains a bonus DVD offering a behind the scenes view of the recording. It has been released by Universal Japan.
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Various Artists - HAZY DREAMS - (NOT JUST) A JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE
This Hendrix tribute album features Luke playing guitar on a hip-hop version of "All along the watchtower" (with Bobby Reeves on vocals) and Gregg Bissonette playing drums on "Voodoo Child" (with Eric Gales on guitar). The album has been released on Edel Records, 2003, 0147722 ERE.
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Various Artists - VOODOO CROSSING - TRIBUTE TO JIMI HENDRIX
This new tribute album to Jimi Hendrix features Steve Lukather and Simon Phillips on "Third Stone from the Sun" as well as Tony Spinner on "Up from the Skies". It will be released in Italy in September by Comet Records.
Various Artists - THE BEST OF MELODIC ROCK
This new DVD features 24 classic rock videos, among others TOTO "Hold The Line" and Steve Lukather "Lonely Beat Of My Heart". Other artists included are Kansas, Journey, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Britney Fox, Pretty Maids, Alice Cooper, Sammy Hagar, Danger Danger (with Andy Timmons), Europe, Riot, Molly Hatchet, Bad English, Warrant, Blue Öyster Cult, The Hooters, Cheap Trick, Firehouse, Scorpions, Extreme, Peter Frampton, Golden Earring and Steve Perry. The DVD is region free, has Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, runs about 120 minutes and was released by Sony. It's available in Austria and Germany.
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Matthias Heimlicher - RUNNING BACK TO YOU
The new album from Swiss artist Matthias Heimlicher features Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips and Mike Porcaro on the title track as well as lots of other famous LA cats including Vinnie Colaiuta and Michael Landau. The CD also contains a special CD Rom part with impressions out of the studios with Mike, Luke and Simon. For more information check out http://www.cworks.ch.
The Yardbirds - BIRDLAND
The first new album since 1968 of the legendary Yardbirds was released on April 22nd 2003 on Favored Nations. It contains newly recorded versions of eight of the Yardbirds' best known hits plus seven new songs. Founding members Chris Dreja and Jim McCarty are joined by three new members and a bunch of famous guest musicians like Jeff Beck, Brian May, Steve Vai, Slash, Joe Satriani, Johnny Rzeznik, Steve Lukather and Jeff "Skunk" Baxter. Luke plays guitar on the track "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago". For more information on this album please check out the following websites: http://www.favorednations.com/, http://www.theyardbirds.com, http://www.bakernorthrop.com, http://www.redmusic.com, http://www.bakernorthrop.com/art.
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Pat Torpey - Y2K
This album is kind of a thematic successor of "Odd Man Out" and features Steve Lukather on the song "Hell on Highwaters son" as well as Gregg Bissonette who also plays on "QP Doll".
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Andy Timmons - LIVE BOOTLEG 1991 - 1998
At long last the Andy Timmons Official Live Bootleg Vol. 1 VHS and DVD are now available exclusively from www.andytimmons.com. This exciting video release contains 8 killer live performances including "Cry For You", "Electric Gypsy", "I Remember Stevie", and "Down To The Wire". This is the first commercially available video that gives insight to Andy's incredible technique and live energy.
An All Star Lineup Performing THE SONGS OF PINK FLOYD
This new tribute album features Steve Lukather (guitar and vocals on "Shine On You Crazy Diamond"), Mike Porcaro (bass on "Welcome To The Machine", "Another Brick In The Wall, Pt.2", "Any Colour You Like" and "Have a Cigar"), Bobby Kimball (vocals on "Have a Cigar"), Steve Porcaro (keyboards on "Any Colour You Like") and many more great musicians like Edgar Winter, Gregg Bissonette, Phil Soussan, Derek Sherinian, Fee Waybill, Robben Ford to name but a few. The album was released on Cleopatra and can be obtained through Amazon
Boz Scaggs - DIG
The new album from Boz Scaggs was co-written and co-produced by David Paich who also played keyboards and it features Luke playing guitar on two tracks as well.
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Various Artists - STONE COLD QUEEN - A TRIBUTE
Steve Lukather and Mike Porcaro appear on this tribute album to Queen, along with lots of other famous rock musicians. Luke plays guitar on "I'm In Love With My Car", also featuring Phil Soussan on bass and Kip Winger on vocals. Mike Porcaro plays bass on "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" with Gunnar & Matthew Nelson on vocals.
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Various Artists - TRIBUTE TO OZZY - BAD HEAD SOUP
Steve Lukather is featured on this album playing guitar on "Hellraiser" with Joe Lynn Turner on vocals.
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Andy Timmons - AND-THOLOGY 1 AND 2 (the lost "ear X-tacy" tapes)
The CDs contain 21 rare and unreleased tracks spanning from 1988 to 1994, the same time period of the ear X-tacy, earX-tacy 2, and Orange Swirl recordings. An incredible collection of high-energy songs (some never heard before now!), along with 2 Jimi Hendrix covers. Both discs feature the classic Andy Timmons Band line-up of Mike Daane on bass and Mitch Marine on drums. Also included is a fantastic 24 page booklet packed with photos from the early days along with detailed liner notes.
This new double CD is now available from www.andytimmons.com.
Asia - AURA
The new album from Asia features Simon Phillips on two tracks, "Kings Of The Day" and "Free". For more information and mp3 excerpts of the songs please check out the Official Asia Website.
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Christian Tolle Project - BETTER THAN DREAMS
Steve Lukather appears on the songs "Changed" and "87 99" of this album which has just been released on the label CTM in Germany. It's available over the internet through AOR Heaven, Thoughtscape and the Christian Tolle Website.
Christian Tolle is a german guitarist and songwriter. The album is a great mixture of up- and midtempo mainstream rocksongs combined with some ballads and catchy melodies. For more information on this album please check out the Christian Tolle Website.
Larry Klimas - RETRO-SPEC(T)
Steve Lukather appears on one cut of this album. Simon Phillips also makes an appearance on another cut as well as does Joseph Williams (singing back-up) behind Bill Champlin on "What's Going On".
Lee Ritenour & Friends - LIVE FROM THE COCONUT GROVE
Vol. 1 & 2
This new DVD release (Region 1 encoding - US and Canada only) features a concert from 1991 with Steve Lukather as a special guest on "Cause We've Ended As Lovers" and also playing rhythm guitar on "Asa". It has been released by Image Entertainment, #630566949X.
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Niacin - DEEP
Hard rock group "Niacin", consisting of Billy Sheehan, John Novello and Dennis Chambers, have released its debut album on 7th March 2000 via Magna Carta. Former Black Sabbath/Deep Purple member Glenn Hughes and Steve Lukather guest on "Things Ain't What They Used to Be," which will be the first single.
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Peter Wolf - PROGRESSION
This new symphonic project from Peter Wolf, performed at this year's Linzer Klangwolke, features lots of famous guest artists like Cliff Richard, Coolio, James Ingram and Vinnie Colaiuta. Steve Lukather is featured on two songs, singing lead vocals and playing guitar on "We Pretend" and also playing guitar on the song "Different is Beautiful". The album is currently published on Peter Wolf's own label "Groove Works" GW 10001 and can be purchased at Brucknerhaus Linz, A - 4020 Linz, Tel.: 0043 - (0) 732 - 76120, or on the internet at www.klangwolke.at or www.brucknerhaus.linz.at.
Various Artists - TRIBUTE TO AEROSMITH
This tribute to Aerosmith features Luke playing guitar on "Walk This Way" with Fee Waybill on vocals. Also on this album is Gregg Bissonette on "Dream On" and Phil Soussan on "Toys In The Attic".
Greg Mathieson Project - THE BAKED POTATO SUPER LIVE!
This album from 1982 has been out of print for a long time. Now it has been re-issued by Japanese Label Cool Sound. Besides Greg Mathieson on keyboards and Robert Popwell on bass it features the unforgettable Jeff Porcaro and Steve Lukather.
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Various Artists - STEINWAY TO HEAVEN
This album features some of the greatest rock keyboardists performing classical piano pieces, including Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman and Tony Hymas to name but a few. Also featured is Steve Porcaro with his interpretation of Maurice Ravel's "Pavane For A Dead Princess". The album was released on the progressive rock label Magna Carta.
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Various Artists - ENCORES, LEGENDS & PARADOX
This tribute to Emerson, Lake & Palmer features Simon Phillips playing drums on five songs, "Karn Evil 9", "Knife Edge", "Hoedown", "The Barbarian" and "Tarkus". The album was released on the progressive rock label Magna Carta.
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Various Artists - HUMANARY STEW (ALICE COOPER TRIBUTE)
This album features Luke doing "Welcome To My Nightmare" with Ronnie James Dio on vocals and Phil Soussan on bass, Mike Porcaro playing bass on "Only Women Bleed" and Simon Phillips on drums on "Cold Ethyl".
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West Coast All Stars - NATURALLY
The second album from this great acapella project features the talents of Bobby Kimball, Jason Scheff, Joe Williams and Tommy Funderburk. It was produced by Kaz Hori and released on Music garden XYCF-50009. Highlights include "That's the way of the world", "Sir Duke", "What's going on" and "Stairway to heaven".
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Various Artists - MERRY AXEMAS VOL. 2. MORE GUITAR FOR CHRISTMAS
Los Lobotomys (Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, David Garfield and John Peña) are featured on this album with "The Christmas Song".
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Pat Torpey - ODD MAN OUT
Steve Lukather is featured on this album from Mr. Big drummer Pat Torpey, which is set to be released in Japan on 22 July 1998 on Pioneer Japan, #VACM-112.
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Gregg Bissonette - GREGG BISSONETTE
Gregg Bissonette's former "Siblings" album has been re-released under his own name by Shrapnel Records SH 11162 with some extra tracks added including "Frankenstein" (written by Edgar Winter) and "No Matter What" (written by Peter Ham). The album features Gregg's brother Matt on bass and keyboards as well as lots of famous guest guitarists like Steve Vai, Paul Gilbert, Scott Henderson, Michael Thompson and Andy Summers. One highlight of the album is "Frybrain" with Steve Lukather on guitar, a great uptempo song.
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West Coast All Stars - CALIFORNIA DREAMIN'
Bobby Kimball, Joseph Williams, Bill Champlin and Jason Scheff have joined forces for this "acappella" album, giving their interpretations of eight classic West Coast hits (among others "California Dreamin'", "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" and "Hotel California") and two new songs specially composed for this album. It was released in Japan on 18 July 1997.
Richard Marx - FLESH AND BONE
Richard Marx' new album features Luke and Simon playing on the Japanese and European bonus track "Talk to ya later", a cover version of the Tubes hit co-written by Luke. Richard sings the song together with Fee Waybill.
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Andy Timmons - EAR X-TACY 2
The second solo album from great guitarist Andy Timmons who's also playing in Simon Phillips' Symbiosis tour band.
Mail order by sending 15.00 U.S. (+2.00 S.H.) to Gracie Records, P.O. Box 769, McKinney TX. 75070- 0769 USA
John Wetton - ARKANGEL
The new album from ex-Asia singer John Wetton features Simon Phillips playing on the Japanese bonus track "Take These Tears".
More information on John Wetton's new album at The Official John Wetton Web Site.
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Steve Tavaglione - BLUE TAV
Steve Tavaglione is a well known sax player in the music biz. His CD "Blue Tav" was just reissued by Creatchy Productions and features some of the best West Coast musicians like Mike Landau, David Garfield, Lenny Castro, John Peña, Vinnie Colaiuta and Jimmy Johnson. It's a 10-track instrumental album with a lot of jazz and fusion elements. The songs were written by David Garfield, Steve Tavaglione, Vinnie Coliauta, John Beasly, Michael O'Neill, John Peña and Jimmy Johnson.
Michael O'Neill - TRUE LOVE
Also just reissued on David Garfield's label "Creatchy Productions" was the album "True love" from guitarist and singer Michael O'Neill. Besides himself on guitar and Creatchy on the keys the album features some excellent musicians like Luis Conte, Steve Tavaglione, Phil Perry, Jimmy Earl, John Robinson, Ricky Lawson and the Tower of Power Horns. It's a 9-track CD with three instrumentals on it, offering some fine soul and latin music. All songs were written by Michael O'Neill with support from David Garfield, Larry Weiss, Phil Perry and William Bryant Jr.
Special Thanks to Mary Oxborrow, Ines + Gerhard Seitz, Uli Frost, Ingo Rose, Hans Waalwijk, Andy Timmons, Patrik, Takeshi Ito, Ole Kirchhoff, Olof Hennig, Blue Johnson, Arend Slagman, Hans Röth, Roland Vinberg, Jay Okubo, Tom Proll, Jean-Luc Raymond, Ulf Högberg, Sami Vainio, The Steakhouse Studio, Rob Broadwell, Jörg.