Ray Mansfield – Page 2

D-Boy Rodriguez – Plantin’ A Seed – 1989

This album starts the sad story of D-Boy Rodriguez. If you don’t know he was murdered but we will cover that when we listen to his last album. For this album we will cover his rise. D-Boy Rodriguez (Danny Rodriguez) was raised in the church by parents that had a keen interest in teens lost on the streets. Though they had a church in PA they often preached on the streets of New York. That interest in street teens led to Danny’s interest in the music of the streets. Danny’s sister also became interested in the street sound and went on to have a couple albums after Danny’s passing. I don’t understand much of the story of how this project started but somehow Tim Miner was able to talk Frontline Records into taking on Danny. A subsequent visit to the studio which included Tim Miner and Tommy Sims and this album was born. While yes there were other Christian rap albums out at the time This one had a more mainstream sound than the others. As such it did quite well and Frontline was happy to release a second one. In my opinion the highlight of the album is “Church Hoppers” which touches on a topic I don’t think anyone else has ever covered. The track is hilarious and may be the first Christian track to use a sample of secular song. In fact it might be the first sampling in the industry period. Sampling just wasn’t big yet in secular or Christian markets. The album actually peaked at No. 35 on Billboard’s CCM album charts but needless to say Christian radio was not ready for this sound in early 1991 so it received almost no radio play. Here again we have an album that is not in one of my favourite genres but it is a great album. Even if you don’t like rap I think you should give this one a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Plantin’ A Seed – 3:47
2 – Church Hoppers – 3:55
3 – Pick Yourself Up – 3:53
4 – When I Strut – 4:36
5 – Doggin’ The Devil – 3:30
6 – King David – 3:56
7 – It’s A Disease – 3:40
8 – G.O.D.S. Possee In Effect – 5:30
9 – Stompin’ Satan – 2:54

Credits
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Backing Vocals – Cindy Cruse, Ronnie V.
Engineer – Brent Jeffers, David Ebensberger, John Wirtz
Other [Grooming] – Kimberlee Couts
Photography By – Michael Seeley
Producer, Engineer, Bass, Recorded By, Mixed By, Keyboards [Keys], Drum Programming, Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tommy Simms
Producer, Engineer, Bass, Recorded By, Mixed By, Keyboards [Keys], Guitar, Backing Vocals – Tim Miner
Written-By – D-Boy*, Tim Miner, Tommy Simms

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Frontline Records
Copyright © – Frontline Records
Distributed By – The Benson Company
Published By – Broken Songs
Published By – Pretty Mondo Stuff
Published By – Birdwing Music
Produced For – Blade Productions
Recorded At – Knightlight Studios
Mixed At – Knightlight Studios
Mastered At – Nimbus

Koinonia – Koinonia – 1989

This is the last album from Koinonia. They had a fantastic run and it’s hard to believe there were only 4 albums and only 3 of them were studio albums. I think we can all agree that Koinonia were bigger than there discography shows. I noticed this album actually leans more towards easy listening than their previous jazz fusion sound and as such it’s not quite as good. I still think it’s a good album but the sound on several tracks is not really them per se. I don’t know if this had anything to do with the fact this is their last album but obviously the band was leaning towards a change. Anyway all the members of the band over the years went on to successful studio careers but none of them had a particularly successful headliner album again.

Tracklist
1 – Talk About It – 4:50
2 – We Know The Way By Heart – 3:54
3 – Alegria – 4:01
4 – Is It Too Late – 5:01
5 – Mistral – 4:56
6 – We’re All In This Together – 4:17
7 – Come Share My World – 4:29
8 – You Are My Love – 4:24
9 – Straight To Paradise – 3:51
10 – Lyn – 2:52

Credits
Backing Vocals – Alfie Silas, Brenda Eager*, Jean Johnson, Jeff Pescetto, Lou Pardini, Patti Henely, Rose Banks
Bass – Abraham Laboriel
Drums – Bill Maxwell
Engineer – Richard McKernan
Executive Producer – Jerry Levin
Guitar – Dean Parks, Michael Landau
Guitar [Acoustic] – Abraham Laboriel
Keyboards – Harlan Rogers, Lou Pardini
Lead Vocals – Lou Pardini
Percussion – Michael Fisher
Producer – Jerry Hey

Companies, etc.
Copyright © – De La Hey Music
Copyright © – Geffin Music
Copyright © – Guidum Music
Copyright © – Harlan Rogers Music
Copyright © – Margarine Moon Music
Copyright © – Monotone Music
Copyright © – Pardini Music
Copyright © – Reed Vertelney Music
Copyright © – Royal/Dale Music
Copyright © – S.S.K. Blackwood
Copyright © – Screen Gems
Copyright © – Sunhill Music
Published By – Word (Uk) Ltd.

Malcolm Wild – Broken Chains – 1979

You likely know Malcolm better as a member of the Malcolm & Alwyn duo but he did have a solo album and this is it. After the second Malcolm & Alwyn album they went their separate ways with Malcolm moving to the U.S. to work with Maranatha music. This is the album that came out of that relationship. The album features many of the Gang from Calvary Chapel Cosa Mesa including almost all the members of Gentle Faith but with drumming duty being shared between John Mehler and Greg Gustafson. There were many others appearing but I won’t list them all because it would take quite awhile, there was that many of them. Anyway this was my first time hearing this album and while I do like the album it just doesn’t have the magic touch that Malcolm and Alwyn had when they worked together. It ha s a strong 70’s feel and like I say it’s pretty good but it really lacked a track that stood out and made me want to listen to the rest of the album. That said this is still a great 70’s album and it deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – When You Call – 3:45
2 – Morning Star – 3:05
3 – Broken Chains – 4:53
4 – Was It You My Love? – 3:50
5 – Dreams – 3:49
6 – Pride (Before A Fall) – 3:44
7 – The Best Is You – 3:04
8 – You’re The Reason – 3:45
9 – Love Is You – 3:14
10 – The Prize – 3:32

Credits
Arranged By [Basic Track Arrangement Assistance] – Don Gerber, Henry Cutrona
Arranged By [String Arrangements] – Colin Owen
Art Direction [Inner Sleeve] – Neal Buchanan
Artwork, Art Direction – Jim Shepard
Co-producer – John Pac, Malcolm Wild
Concept By [Cover] – Malcolm Wild
Engineer – Chris Taylor, Colin Owen
Mastered By – Bernie Grundman
Photography By – Linda Dillon
Photography By [Assisted By] – Gary De Lacy, Steve Churchill
Vocals, Harmony Vocals – Malcolm Wild

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Pilgrim Records
Recorded At – Maranatha! Studio
Recorded At – The Old Smithy Recording Studio
Mixed At – The Old Smithy Recording Studio
Mastered At – A&M Studios

Julie Miller – He Walks Through Walls – 1991

I am the first to admit that Julie Miller’s voice is not for everyone. Personally I love it and I love her music. Julie’s husband Buddy Miller handled all the instruments on the album and did a great job. The album also included backing vocals from Colvin, Williams, Grant and Willard. Mark Heard and Reverend Dan Smith. In particular the track with Reverend Dan Smith, “Don’t Let The Devil Ride” is a fantastic track and my pick for the best track on the album. That said this album also included the track “Broken Things” which Julie actually rerecorded for her 1999 album with that title. I think most of her fans far prefer this track. Anyway give the album a listen and if you like her voice I guarantee you will love this album.

Tracklist
1 – I Will Follow You – 4:16
2 – He Walks Through Walls – 4:08
3 – Never Gonna Give Up On You – 3:12
4 – Angelina – 3:52
5 – Broken Things – 3:14
6 – Just Want You – 2:54
7 – Don’t Let The Devil Ride – 2:10
8 – Naked Heart – 2:50
9 – How Long – 2:39
10 – Manger Throne – 3:02

Credits
Arranged By – Julie Miller
backing vocals – Colvin, Williams, Grant and Willard. Mark Heard, Reverend Dan Smith
Composed By – Julie Miller (tracks: 1 to 6, 8 to 10)
Engineer – Dan Garcia, Dan Willard, Ted Spencer
Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Backing Vocals – Buddy Miller
Mastered By – Steve Hall
Mixed By – Dan Garcia (tracks: 4, 7, 9), Dave Leonard*
Producer – Buddy Miller, Dan Posthuma, Julie Miller
Written-By – Buddy Miller (tracks: 1)

Companies, etc.
Manufactured By – Word, Inc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Word, Inc.
Copyright – Word, Inc.
Recorded At – Dogtown Studio

Mark Lowry – For The First Time On Planet Earth – 1989

Comedian and singer Mark Lowry is back with his 7th album and his first on Word records. At this point in his career Mark was also in the Gaither Vocal Band as the baritone. I can not imagine how busy his life was at this time. He was a very popular member of the Gaither Vocal Band as his sense of humour went over very well with their audiences. This album is a mix of worship songs, humorous songs, and spoken word. As near as I can tell this was the first of his albums that was released outside of the U.S. (though only to Canada) which surprises me as I think his humour would have had worldwide acceptance.

Tracklist
1 – I’m Here To Tell You – 3:04
2 – Noah – 3:16
3 – Feelings Or Faith – 1:13
4 – Alarm Clock – 5:34
5 – You Can Be Sure – 3:51
6 – The Church Brat – 0:48
7 – Psychiatric Help – 4:15
8 – Wrestling In The Kitchen – 1:03
9 – Mama Had “Enough” – 3:44
10 – Miss Barth – 4:31
11 – Summacum Laude – 1:49
12 – Living Love – 4:31
13 – His Love Says – 3:23
14 – Bedtime Stories – 5:24
15 – The Greatest Story Ever Told – 7:53
16 – What A Savior He Is – 4:11

Gary Rand – Break That Ground – 1981

You probably know Gary more because of his second album but this is his first album which is far more worship oriented. Gary was one of those kids who was a musician from an early age. His first group was The Crimson Bridge who had an album back in 1971. He went unrecorded for many years but in 1981 Milk & Honey records released this his first solo album. As I said this is more of a worship oriented album but is very good for that style. Gary always struggled with the Christian music industry as he wanted to sing about current affairs in the world but the record companies wanted him to just sing about Jesus and keep his JPM count as high as possible. This album doesn’t really show that struggle but it was his first album and on a persons first album you pretty well have to do what the record company wants.

Tracklist
1 – Family Of Love – 3:12
2 – Isaiah 58 – 3:00
3 – You Have Turned My Sorrow Into Dancing (Psalm 30:11) – 2:27
4 – Let Justice Roll Down (Amos 5) – 3:29
5 – Time Of Jubilee – 3:02
6 – Break That Ground (Hosea 10:12) – 3:04
7 – Psalm 146 – 2:05
8 – Pass The Peace – 2:25
9 – Communion Song – 1:31
10 – Narrow Way – 2:53
11 – Psalm 121 – 2:20

Credits
Acoustic Guitar, Piano – Gary Rand
Bass – Andy Rae
Drums – Keith Edwards
Engineer – Brian Tankersley, Larry Goode, Rick Thigpen
Guitar – Jerry McPherson
Keyboards, Synthesizer, Engineer – Paul Mills
Percussion – Russell Dunlap
Producer, Arranged By, Flute, Synthesizer – Fletch Wiley
Saxophone – Larry Slezak

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Singspiration
Copyright © – Singspiration
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Recorded By – Sam’s Tape Truck
Mixed At – Rivendell Sound Recorders
Mastered At – Masterfonics
Pressed By – Electrosound Group Midwest, Inc.

Eternal Rock – Threshold – 1980

Eternal Rock were a band out of the Netherlands that you have likely never ever heard of. This is their only album and it leans rather 70’s with a mix of male and female vocals. It was released on Eurosound which was the in house label for Eurosound Studio’s. The album does have some interesting tracks with covers of 2nd Chapter Of Acts’ “Mansion Builder”, Larry Norman’s “I Wish We’d All Been Ready”, which they strangely named “I’ve Wish We’ve All Been Ready”, and finally a version of Bill Withers “Lean On Me” which they reworded as “Lean On Him”. All in all a pretty good effort and maybe with a little more work they could have released a mainstream album outside of the Netherlands.

Tracklist
1 – Life Can Be Hard – 3:44
2 – Mansion Builder – 3:20
3 – I’ve Wish We’ve All Been Ready – 3:40
4 – Blinded By Science – 4:09
5 – Lean On Him – 2:39
6 – Love Is… – 4:19
7 – Threshold – 4:21
8 – You Can Change – 2:30
9 – The Way I Feel – 2:57
10 – Guess Who’s Coming? – 3:10
11 – Show Me The Way – 4:23

Credits
Bass – Hans Roman
Design – Leon Limpens
Drums – Klaas Den Hollander
Engineer, Recorded By – Don Vonk
Executive Producer – Wim Sanders
Guitar – Norbert Schmidt
Lead Vocals – Susanne Sanders
Organ [Fender Rhodes], Organ, Synthesizer, Lead Vocals, Strings – Peter Roman
Producer, Recorded By – Norbert Schmidt
Tenor Saxophone – Jan Kuipers, Jurrie Eisinga
Vocals – Meineke Roman
Vocals, Strings – Veronica Roman
Written-By – Peter Roman, Susanne Roman

Companies, etc.
Recorded By – Eurosound Mobile
Recorded At – Plahadima
Recorded At – Eurosound Mobile

Cross – Metal From Above – 1987

In 1987 Cross self released this demo album. 1987 was a big year in Christian metal and many bands appeared on the scene. Cross unfortunately was pretty short lived as they broke up the following year so this is all we got from them. The album is very Guitar heavy and borders on thrash occasionally. As far as metal goes it’s okay I guess. Nothing here really stood out to me but poor production didn’t help the situation much. However the people who enjoy this genre will likely enjoy this one. In 2006 Steel Legacy Records rereleased the album on CD and vinyl along with 3 very very poorly recorded live tracks. As they are so poor we chose not to release them.

Tracklist
1 – Sign Of The Cross (Instrumental) – 4:46
2 – Metal From Above – 8:01
3 – The Final Journey – 10:35
4 – Deliverance – 4:35
5 – The Ascension – 6:16

Credits
Bass – Mike Cano
Drums – Steve Cano
Guitar – Henry Chavez, Tommy Salas
Lead Vocals – James Sanchez

Bryn Haworth – Keep The Ball Rolling – 1979

This is Bryn’s 4th album and while his previous album “Grand Arrival” was released in the U.S. I can’t find any record of this one being released outside of Europe and Japan. I was a big fan of Bryn in the 80’s but where I lived the only album available to us was “Pass It On” and “The Gap”. It is great that all these years later I can listen to his other work. This is a rather atypical album from Bryn and falls in line with most of his work. As such there aren’t any real outstanding track but I found Bryn’s version of the Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody pretty good but he did it as an instrumental and I think he should have done the vocals too.

Tracklist
1 – Keep The Ball Rolling – 4:02
2 – First Time – 3:52
3 – Let Me Love You – 4:22
4 – Standing On The Rock – 3:59
5 – City Boy – 6:00
6 – Party Girl – 2:12
7 – Luxury Liner – 3:29
8 – Unchained Melody – 4:02
9 – Unemployment Blues – 3:58
10 – Working For Love – 4:35

Credits
Arranged By [Brass] – Lyle Harper
Arranged By [Strings] – Ted Astley
Baritone Saxophone – Bud Beadle
Bass – Dave Markee
Drums – Henry Spinetti
Keyboards – Pete Wingfield
Percussion – Simon Morton
Producer – Doug Bennett, Jon Astley
Saxophone – Jim Cuomo
Saxophone, Flute – Mel Collins, Steve Gregory
Trombone – Terry Hellyer
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Martin Drover
Vocals, Guitar – Bryn Haworth

Vicki Yohe – Everlasting Love – 1992

This is Vicki’s second album though her first one isn’t well known as it was self released. This album was the first of a 3 album deal she had with Giant Records, a label created by David and the Giants. The album is a relatively easy listening project which really focusses on her vocal skills. I understand the album didn’t sell all that well which as me a little confused because this is a very well done album. The production is crisp and on point, her vocals are excellent, and the quality overall is quite high. That said some albums do well and some don’t, often it has nothing to do with quality. Anyway if you’re a fan of easy listening genre of CCM this is a must listen.

Tracklist
1 – You Can’t Stop The Morning
2 – Everlasting Love
3 – Comforter
4 – Whosoever Will
5 – The Mercy Seat
6 – When I’m With You
7 – Always
8 – Prisoner
9 – I’d Trade A Lifetime
10 – All Through The Night