Ray Mansfield – Page 128

Katharsis – Drivin’ Too Fast! – 1983

This 6 song EP from Katharsis was all that was ever released from this band.

It is a rather odd combination of Jazz, Funk, and straight out Rock & Roll. The varying styles might have been its commercial downfall but that said I believe it’s a great EP.

The different styles compliment each other and I think it was very well produced. Looking for the single? My suggestions are the title track, Drivin Too Fast!, and/or, Wrong Band. Nice gem from the 80’s here.

Track Listing:
1 – Drivin’ Too Fast
2 – Not A Chance In Hell (JC Funk)
3 – Wrong Band
4 – The Easiest Answer
5 – Within The Wild
6 – Clear Deception

Credits:
Bass [Bass Response], Vocals – Jerome Reeves
Design [Album], Graphics – Paul I. Pettys
Drums, Percussion – Eric Dean (2)
Engineer – Roger Fortner, Steve Easter (4)
Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar – Steve Helm (2)
Photography By – Bill Littell, Dan Wilson (21), Kevin Crafton
Producer – Katharsis (15)
Typography [Typesetting By] – Peggy Dunnagan
Vocals – Jim McLeod (4)
Vocals, Rhythm Guitar – Dwight Huthwaite
Written-By – Huthwaite*, McLeod* (tracks: A2, B1, B3)

Avalanche – Pray For The Sinner – 1985

This was the one and only album from Christian Heavy Metal band Avalanche.

Like many bands named after natural disasters their career was short lived. The album really isn’t that bad and is your typical 8 track session rock album. Nothing really stands out but then again, nothing sounds horrible either.

If you’re a metal head this is an album for you. The European release of this album had When The Thunder Roars as the 9th track instead of Battle Axe. Both songs are included.

Track Listing:
1 – They Won’t Take Me – 3:44
2 – We Will Fight – 3:59
3 – Tortured Defender – 4:41
4 – This Love I Feel – 3:26
5 – Sorceror – 4:32
6 – Pray For The Sinner – 4:03
7 – Child Of Damnation – 3:09
8 – Devils Door – 5:07
9 – Battle Axe – 3:52
9 – (alternate track) When The Thunder Roars – 4:33
10 – Rock Hard And Heavy – 4:13

Credits:
Arranged By – Nikki Van Welden
Bass, Vocals – Nikki Van Welden
Drums – Barry Nicholson
Executive-Producer – Eric ”Griffy” Greif*
Guitar – Michael Cloe
Management – Titan Productions
Mastered By – Eddie Schreyer*
Producer, Recorded By, Mixed By – Mike Frazier
Written-By – Michael Cloe (tracks: A4), Nikki Van Welden (tracks: A1 to A3, A5, B1 to B5)

Steve Camp – Justice – 1988

This is the 10th release from Steve Camp and by this point in his career Camp had music mastered.

The quality of this album is excellent and the song writing spot on. While he is usually classed as easy listening I would argue this album really isn’t. I found it to be upbeat and edgier than previous releases.

The highlight of the album for me is Camp’s cover of the Larry Norman song “Great American Novel”. He covers it with a Springsteen feel that is perfect for the song. All in all a great release in my opinion.

Track Listing:
1 – Justice – 4:35
2 – Playing Marbles With Diamonds – 5:03
3 – Don’t Tell Them Jesus Loves Them – 5:19
4 – Living Dangerously In The Hands Of God – 5:04
5 – Do You Feel Their Pain? – 6:18
6 – Hell Is Burning While The Church Sleeps – 4:28
7 – Great American Novel – 4:57
8 – Servants Without Scars – 4:04
9 – Love That Will Not Let You Go – 5:09
10 – I Believe In You – 4:25

Credits:
Art Direction – Barbara Catanzaro-Hearn
Artwork By, Design – Peter Nomura
Engineer [Assistant] – Carry Summers, Howard Steel*, Kevin Twit, Wade Jennings
Mastered By – Doug Sax
Mixed By – Bill Schnee (tracks: A1, A3, A5, B4), David Schober (tracks: B1, B3), Jeff Balding (tracks: A2, A4, B2, B5)
Photography By [Collage] – Mark Tucker (7)
Photography By [Portrait] – Victoria Pearson (2)
Producer, Arranged By – Steve Camp
Recorded By – David Schober

Greg Scheelar – Run Very Fast – 2008

Greg Scheelar is an independent artist from Winnipeg Canada.

His CD, Run Very Fast, is a decidedly easy listening affair but don’t let that discourage you from giving it a listen.

If you want an upbeat track try “St. Anselms Prayer”, it should have your toes tapping. The album is very strong lyrically and very well produced.

It actually features several members from The Real 80’s CCM family (meet them in our Facebook group). Join us in supporting independent artists and give this album a listen.

Track Listing:
1 – Dancin With The Glory
2 – Prayer of Confession (Confiteor Deo)
3 – Run Very Fast
4 – My Jesus I Love Thee
5 – Gloria
6 – St. Anselms Prayer
7 – Abide With Me
8 – The Moon And The Stars

Quickflight – Decent Beat – 1983

This was the second, and last, album from Quickflight. After their first album their record label, Tunesmith, closed their doors and Quickflight had to find a new label.

They found a new home at Star Song and this album was on its way. They headed into Little Mountain Sound Studios in Vancouver, BC to record this album.

It was one of the first Christians recorded in digital format and was recorded almost entirely using synthesizers and sequencers. The result was a pretty distinctive sound for the time. New wave was in but this recording style made this album stand out.

Track Listing:
1 – Water Of Life – 4:58
2 – Remote Control – 2:43
3 – In The World – 3:52
4 – Safety In Numbers – 3:10
5 – System Breakdown – 4:15
6 – Fantasy – 4:00
7 – Fade To Glory – 4:25
8 – Messages – 2:00
9 – D.M.X. – 2:32
10 – Metro Alien – 5:14
11 – I Dream – 2:52

Stronghold – Fortress Rock – 1982

Stronghold were a 70’s holdover hard rock band. I’ve seen them referred to as heavy metal but I would argue they are a hard rock band in the tradition of late 70’s rock.

With hints of Black Sabbath and/or Jethro Tull this album celebrates that hard rock sound. Personally I think the Vocoder was over used but it does give their distinctive sound that their fans loved.

This is a hard rock album that will leave you wanting for more as it is only a 8 track album.

Track Listing:
1 – Stronghold – 4:45
2 – Barabbas – 5:35
3 – Dreams & Pretty Pictures – 4:31
4 – No Superstars For Jesus – 6:55
5 – Daybreak’s Coming – 6:37
6 – Desert Walker – 5:05
7 – The Called – 3:59
8 – Nobody Owes You Nuthin’ – 4:02

Credits:
Bass – C.C. Cupp
Drums, Percussion – Jay Molina
Guitar – Pete Moore
Vocals, Keyboards – Gary Smith

David Edwards – Dreams, Tales and Lullabies – 1985

This was the third and final release from David Edwards. If your a fan of his previous two albums you’re probably not going to be a fan of this one.

To call this easy listening is even a stretch. It has a symphonic sound that is true to its title of Lullabies. While there was a cult following for this album I believe it marked the end of his music career.

I’m really at a loss for words on this album as I was a huge fan but was left bewildered by this release. That said, it is very well done for what it is so I can respect the people who like it.

Track Listing:
1 – My Empty Pockets – 3:09
2 – Diamond’s Lullaby – 5:01
3 – When Morning Comes – 4:50
4 – The Son and the Angels – 4:14
5 – I Saw Your Prayer – 4:02
6 – When He Comes – 5:10
7 – Grandfather’s House – 4:04
8 – When At Night – 2:34

Credits:
Barry Miller Kaye – Producer
Andrea Saparoff – Conducted and Arranged
Mark Heard – Recorded and Mixed
Steve Hall – Mastered
John Flynn – Engineer
Doug Mathews – Copyist
Paul Gross – Album Design
James Henry – Cover Illustration
Gary Whitlock – Photography

Body and Soul – Something’s Going On Here – 1983

Body and Soul was:

Rob Watson – Daniel Amos / The Swirling Eddies
Arthur Fhardy – The Swirling Eddies
Darrell Washington – The Rap-Sures

Very little is known about this project that resulted in these 2 songs. This is too bad because this was very good music and perfectly right for 1983. I’m sorry we can’t tell you more but you’ll just have to sit back and listen to the songs.

Track Listing:
A – Something’s Going On Here – 3:41
B – The Graylands – 5:59

Credits:
Musician – Arthur Fhardy
Musician – Darrell Washington
Musician – Rob Watson
Recorded At – 3-D Studios
Mixed At – 3-D Studios
Phonographic Copyright – Parbar Music
Copyright – Parbar Music

The Lead – The Past Behind – 1987

The Past Behind is a thrash album by the metal band The Lead that was released in 1987.

Strangely they re-recorded the album and released it on R.E.X. Records with a new cover in 1988. As I have no knowledge of Thrash Metal I have no idea if this is a good album or not.

Track Listing:
1 – Abomination – 1:58
2 – National Pride – 0:40
3 – He Won’t Take A Joke – 3:26
4 – No Religion – 2:04
5 – Old Warrior – 1:16
6 – Tunnel Vision – 4:45
7 – Puritan – 0:12
8 – Jesus Became Sin – 2:07

Credits:
Backing Vocals – Ivan Zyklon Gripweed
Drums, Vocals – Robbie Christie
Executive-Producer – Doug Mann
Guitar, Vocals – Julio Rey
Photography By – Leyla Arner
Producer, Engineer, Backing Vocals – Mike McNamee
Vocals, Bass – Nina Llopis
Written-By – Julio Rey

Randy Matthews – The Edge of Flight – 1990

This was the final album Randy Matthews released using his own name.

He did release an album in 2008 using the name Red Beard which was pirate oriented. Yes songs and stories about pirates. So essentially this was his last album and what an album it was.

I believe this was his best album ever. Again, we have a Bob Seger sound that at this point he has polished to be his own. The guitar work on this album is absolutely brilliant.

The album doesn’t credit any musicians so I can only assume it was Randy’s work. This is simply one of the greatest CCM rock albums ever released.

Track Listing:
1 – Man Of The Morning Sun – 5:34
2 – Defender Of The Faith – 5:18
3 – Beautiful Hands – 4:56
4 – Heart’s Still Beating – 4:08
5 – Sir – 4:33
6 – The Dream – 5:19
7 – China Sea – 4:33
8 – Ti Chapé – 4:52
9 – What A Good Lady – 4:46
10 – Make Believe – 5:26
11 – Lookin’ Back – 3:59
12 – Morning Sun (Reprise) – 1:43

Credits:
Art Direction – Diane Painter
Mastered By – Ken Love
Mixed By – Billy Smiley, Lee Groitzsch
Photography – Paul Vozdic
Producer – Billy Smiley
Recorded By – Lee Groitzsch