Michael Thompson is nowadays one of the leading guitar players of the world. He was awarded the "Distinguished Alumni" award from his alma mater Berklee College of Music to commemorate his contributions to the music industry. Berklee's program for the event noted that "he is widely regarded as being among the elite studio session players, and his amazing list of credits includes such prominent names as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, 'N Sync, Toni Braxton, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, the Scorpions, Vince Neil, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Bette Midler, Madonna, Babyface, En Vogue, Gloria Estefan, Stanley Clarke and Ricky Martin."

Originally from New York, Michael moved to Los Angeles in 1979 to begin a studio musician career. In 1988, after working to try and get a deal with his band Slang, he finally got signed by Geffen Records to release one album entitled "How Long", under the Michael Thompson Band (M.T.B.) monicker.

On "How Long" more great studio musicians appeared as guests, in particular drummer-maestro Terry Bozzio, singer Moon Calhoun (ex The Strand), Pat Torpey (later on drummer with Mr Big), bassist Jimmy Haslip, John Elefante (Kansas), Toto's Bobby Kimball and Great White associates Michael Lardie and Wyn Davis (who also produced the album). Songwriters would include, among others, AOR luminaries such as: Jeff Paris, Mark Spiro, Billy Trudel and Brett Walker.

As of today “How Long” is still regarded as one of the highest examples of hi-tech AOR / West Coast, with a superb production and immaculate songwriting. Reissued in 2007 with 3 bonus tracks, it started a relationship between Michael Thompson and Frontiers who brought the anticipated release of the new Michael Thompson Band album in early 2012.

This time Michael teamed up with the awesome singer Larry King from the band Soleil Moon. Larry brought a new and more rocking approach to the MTB sound but certainly the trademark elements of songwriting and melodies are still to be found in the new album “Future Past”. The production of the album is just flawless and “Future Past” is destined to become soon another AOR music classic. Get it !

MICHAEL THOMPSON BAND
Michael Thompson Guitars & Keys
Larry King Vocals
Khari Parker Drums
Alan Berliant Bass

Guest Performers
John Blasucci – Keys
Dave Hiltebrand – Bass – When You Love Someone, Beautiful Mystery, Future Past, Here I Am & Break Me Down
Matt Walker – Drums – High Times
Sahara Thompson – Background Vocals – Can’t Miss
J.P. Delaire – Keys, Background Vocals, Sax – Can’t Miss

Produced By : Larry King & Michael Thompson

On February 1st 2009, a radio announcement for "Koh Sakai’s Burrn Presents: Heavy Metal Syndicate" contained a short message from Mr. Big, announcing the reunion of the original lineup featuring Eric Martin, Paul Gilbert, Billy Sheehan and Pat Torpey, to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of their debut album. A press conference in Japan in February generated much excitement, and a tour of the country starting in June was announced, with shows in ten locations (including the BUDOKAN). That tour eventually brought to the release of a Live CD and DVD and the enthusiasm surrounding the reunion convinced the band to go back to the studio to write and record a new album entitled “What If...”.

The album went on to become gold in Japan and the band played 11 dates in support of the release. At the end of January 2011, during a week long promotion trip to promote the album and tour, they were invited to the WOWOW TV Studios in Tokyo to perform a special show in an acoustic setting.

When the talk of a broadcast first came up, the guys wanted to present something different than they’ve ever done before. Thus the idea of an acoustic show came about and a string quintet was brought in to enhance the project even more, with arrangements provided by Takashi Miyazaki. Although Paul Gilbert and Billy Sheehan hooked up electric on a few songs, the show was still very much acoustic in nature throughout. Pat Torpey played various acoustic percussion instruments during the gig.

The result from that magic night in Tokyo is now here: 10 Mr Big classics in a completely new and fresh dress and a portrait from the very first ever acoustic show from the band.

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Formed in 1988, MR. BIG forged its place in hard rock history by combining trademark "shredding" musicianship with awesome vocal harmonies. The original lineup produced numerous hit songs that ranged across a wide array of rock genres, be it ballads, heavy metal, or blues rock. Their hits included "To Be With You" (Billboard Hot 100 number one single in 15 countries for weeks, in 1991, propelling the band the band to huge international success and record sales in the multi-millions), "Wild World", "Green-Tinted Sixties Mind", "Just Take My Heart", and a host of heavy metal songs that were played mostly during their live performances: "Daddy, Brother, Lover, Little Boy", "Addicted to that Rush", "Colorado Bulldog", and "Take Cover". Mr. Big broke up in 2002 after a farewell tour and reunited with much acclaim 7 years later.

MR BIG
Eric Martin – lead vocals
Pat Torpey – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Billy Sheehan – bass guitar, backing vocals
Paul Gilbert – guitar, backing vocals

Sonic Station is a new Westcoast AOR Project put together by Alexander Kronbrink (a swedish guitarist, composer and producer). Alexander is a young musician who learned his skills working with smooth Jazz star Jonathan Fritzén – who lived in his neighborhood. Later on – after being introduced to Lee Ritenour - Alexander started to see a clearer direction in his playing. Through Ritenour he discovered the music of such giants as Steely Dan, Kenny Loggins, composer and producer David Foster and guitarist Jay Graydon, to mention a few.

While studying music at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm, he teamed up with Marika Willstedt, a singer and piano player and they started writing music and playing together. This collaboration turned out to be the beginning of the Sonic Station record. Marika is today a well known artist and session musician in Sweden after appearing as pianist and teamleader in a prime time tv-show on national television. She sings and plays keyboards on the Sonic Station record and has also written most of the lyrics. Two of the songs have lyrics by Alexander’s father, Hans Kronbrink.

During the second half of the 00’s, while working on his Sonic Station project, Alexander also played the guitar with different artists and groups. Among them the thrilling side project Moonlight Sailors with, once again, his friend Jonathan Fritzén on keyboards, accompanied by drummer Aron Mellergård and bass player Henrik Linder. The last two are the founders of amazing group Dirty Loops, celebrated by both Lee Ritenour and Jay Graydon! Mellergård and Linder have also contributed with their talents on the Sonic Station record.

From the very beginning the Sonic Station project has been based in the 80’s AOR music (influenced by Toto, Mr Mister and Journey) and the West Coast-sound of Airplay and Chicago. To get the most quality out of each song Alexander, who composed ten tracks and also produced and arranged the whole record, engaged four singers with different singing styles and voices: Marika Willstedt, Magnus Bäcklund, Kristoffer Fogelmark and Tove Lo.

Backed up by a long line of session musicians and Alexander’s brilliant guitar playing Sonic Station is an expressive and warm record, where each song has an obvious and immediate hit feeling. With Sonic Station, Alexander Kronbrink has taken the 80’s into the future!

SONIC STATION
Lead Vocals: Marika Willstedt, Kristoffer Fogelmark, Magnus Bäcklund, Tove Lo
Guitars: Alexander Kronbrink
Bass: Henrik Linder, Erik Metall, Kristofer Sundström, Johan Ivansson, Johan Hansén-Larson
Drums: Aron Mellergårdh, Thern Pettersson, Niklas Almgren
Keyboards: Jonathan Fritzén, Marika Willstedt, David Larson, Alexander Kronbrink
Percussion: Andreas Ekstedt
Backing vocals: Oskar Nilsson, Matilda Bådagård, Alexander Kronbrink
Saxophone: Conny Lindgren
Trumpet, Flugelhorn: Erik Palmberg

Produced by Alexander Kronbrink

Beggars & Thieves was formed in NYC in 1989 by singer Louie Merlino and guitarist Ronnie Mancuso. After 5 gigs and a demo recorded with mega producer Desmond Child (Bon Jovi, Areosmith) and (Billy Squier, Alice Cooper) drummer Bobby Chouinard and (Bon Jovi bassist) Hugh McDonald, B&T was signed by Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun.

Released on Atlantic around Christmas of 1990, Beggars & Thieves self-titled debut was critically acclaimed. The first single (“Beggars & Thieves”) started to take off, charting in the top 40 Billboard Magazine Album Rock Charts and being added to rotation on over 100 Parallel One AOR radio stations.

The band then lost momentum when their A&R man left the label and their managers Q-Prime (Metallica, Def Leppard and Muse) were understandably distracted by the death of one of there biggest clients, Def Leppard guitarist Steve Clark. By the time Q-Prime regained their focus, Atlantic had moved on. Q-Prime still believing in the band managed to get Beggars released from Atlantic and immediately signed them to Epic/Sony.

Beggars recorded their second album “Look What You Create” in Vancouver with (Aerosmith, Scorpions, Bryan Adams) collaborator Jim Vallance and (Rush, Dream Theater) engineer Paul Northfield. By the time of the release, Grunge was king and Beggars (although really a Classic Rock Band) were lumped in with the hair bands and pass their due date.

Ronnie & Louie stayed in the music business doing jingles as well as lots of music for Fox Sports and NASCAR.

Louie and Ron started playing together again in 2004 forming Sin City All-Star’s with (Ex-Faster Pussycat Guitarist) Brent Muscat, opening shows for Tesla, Vince Neil, Ratt, Slaughter, and Skid Row.

Mancuso started writing songs again and thought “Louie has one of the best voices in rock and he sounds better than ever. I’m finally getting really good at songwriting. As an artist I’m doing my best work ever. Why shouldn’t we continue?”

So Beggars started the recording the basic tracks of “We Are the Brokenhearted” with legendary NYC drummer Thommy Price (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Billy Idol, Scandal) and his cohort in the (Blackhearts) bassist Enzo Penizzotto

While finishing their album, Beggars started playing live when Vince Neil along with Las Vegas Legend Custom Motorcycle Builder (The Count) opened the club Feelgoods in Las Vegas, Ronnie & Louie’s hometown since the early 2000’s.

Rounding out the group now is drummer Erik Gloege, who played for years in a rhythm section with (Metallica) bassist Robert Trujillo and 22 tears old bassist Blake Newman, whose youth has invigorated the band. As Merlino says, “the younger crowds seem to love us, it’s so cool to look out and see kids in there 20’s get it as much as the older rock crowd”.

Beggars played the renowned Firefest Festival 2010 in Nottingham, England where they received glowing reviews and were voted biggest surprise of the festival.

Beggars have just begun re-establishing their brand after using Firefest as their launching pad. Mancuso says “This is just the beginning; we want to focus on Europe as well as putting our songs in movies and commercials in America. This isn’t just some guy's trying to have a little fun reliving the past. We are very serious about this. We want to compete with the big boys!”

And judging from the response from the European press and fans they just might!

Beggars & Thieves 2011

Louie Merlino: Vocals
Ronnie Mancuso: Guitars
Erik Gloege: Drums
Blake Newman: Bass

Cd1 Siberian Khatru; I’ve Seen All Good People; Tempus Fugit; Onward; Astral Traveller; Yours Is No Disgrace; And You And I; Corkscrew (Acoustic Solo).

Cd2: Owner Of A Lonely Heart; South Side Of The Sky; Machine Messiah; Heart Of The Sunrise; Roundabout; Starship Trooper.

DVD: Interviews, Excerpts from the Live Show, Roundabout, Machine Messiah (running time approx 55 mins.)

3LP Edition gatefold sleeve
Cat. #: FR LP 537 Cod: 8024391053751

Lp1: Side A: Siberian Kathru; I’ve Seen All Good People / Side B: Tempus Fugit; Onward; Astral Traveller
Lp2: Side A ¨ Yours Is No Disgrace; And You And I / Side B: Corkscrew; Owner Of A Lonely Heart; South Side Of The Sky
Lp3: Side A: Machine Messiah; Heart Of The Sunrise / Side B: Roundabout; Starship Trooper.

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As a dominant force for more than four decades, YES has sold more than 33 million albums worldwide. Their symphonic use of sound and innovative musical style has made each of the group’s players virtuosos in their own right. The Grammy Award winners, one of the most influential and ground-breaking progressive rock ‘n’ roll bands in history, follow up their new studio album “Fly From Here” with a brand new live album.

"In The Present – Live From Lyon” is a live cd recorded in Lyon, France on December 1st 2009. It is an outstanding collection of evergreen and hidden classic tracks in which new singer Benoit David breathes new life in to.

The perfect companion to the 2cd live set is a 55 minute DVD which - together with juicy excerpts from the live performance – offers candid interviews and behind the scenes footage.

YES’ powerful compositions influenced a generation of musicians. They have a hugely successful and indelible catalogue of music with hit albums such as DRAMA, FRAGILE, CLOSE TO THE EDGE and 90125 and classic songs like “Roundabout,” a seminal hit which consistently appears on “the best songs of all-time” lists, and the group’s #1 hit “Owner of a Lonely Heart”, taken from the YES album 90125, w which would see YES top the UK and US album charts simultaneously.

LINEUP:
Benoit David: vocals
Steve Howe: guitar
Chris Squire: bass
Alan White: drums
Oliver Wakeman: keyboards

ROYAL HUNT is about to release their new - 11th - studio album: "Show Me How To Live". The band once more joined forces with former lead singer DC COOPER to continue the magic of Royal Hunt and returns to the classic sound which put the band on the map in the first place, all the way back in 1991.

Royal Hunt’s music is melodic with a progressive and symphonic flair. Founded in Denmark in 1989 by keyboardist Andre Andersen, Royal Hunt have gone through numerous personnel changes since the inception. Though certainly the two albums that they have released with American singer DC Cooper, are the ones that mostly stood the test of time: “Moving Target” in 1995 and the subsequent concept album “Paradox” in 1997.

In the beginning of 2011, Andre and DC got in touch once more to see if they could cooperate again, which resulted in a small reunion tour. It was a great success and consequently led to the mutual decision of DC rejoining the band.
While Andre Andersen - a musical genius who can virtually play any instrument, compose, write lyrics and produce all at the same time – is undoubtedly the powerhouse force that drives the entire ensemble forward like a bulldozer, it’s also sure that DC is one of the top singers in the entire hard rock world. The extension and warmth of his vocals are the key elements that can bring back Royal Hunt to the throne of nowadays Hard Rock world.

Once again recorded and produced at NorthPoint Studios in Denmark, “Show Me How To Live” brings back Royal Hunt at force 10 with an highly melodic sound and rich, lush arrangements and stellar production. With the amazing new line-up, the fans as well as the critics, are about to get a fresh taste of the powerful and rejuvenated ROYAL HUNT!

Royal Hunt

André Andersen - keyboards
D.C. Cooper - vocals
Allan Sørensen - drums
Andreas Passmark - bass
Jonas Larsen - guitars