1990 – Real 80s CCM

Recon – Behind Enemy Lines – 1990

Recon was a late 80’s Metal band out of California. I don’t know or understand different genres within the Metal scene but I am told they are a Power Metal band. This was their only studio album but they did also have a live at Cornerstone album released by Millenium Eight Records in 2001. Several members of this band ended up in Deliverance shortly after this album was released. The band was well received and garnered praise for the quality of their lyrics.

Tracklist
1 – In The Beginning – 1:33
2 – Lost Soldier – 4:53
3 – Ancient Of Days – 5:36
4 – Choose This Day – 5:42
5 – Dreams – 5:12
6 – Take Us Away – 3:44
7 – Holy Is The Lord – 6:03
8 – Alive – 4:09
9 – Eternal Desteny – 5:43
10 – Behind Enemy Lines – 4:17

Credits
Bass – Mike Grato
Design Concept – George Ochoa
Executive Producer – Bill Bafford
Guitar – Eddie Starline, George Ochoa
Layout, Design – Scott Waters
Lead Vocals – Vett Roberts
Producer, Arranged By – George Ochoa

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The Mirrors – I Am Not Afraid – 1990

Yes this is The Mirrors from Malcolm And The Mirrors, kind of. Mike Minardi and Richard Cimino from the original Mirrors are joined by Scott Stewart, Terry McNabb, Bill Walden (Undercover), and Rob Watson (DA). This a pretty good line up for a CCM band and it doesn’t disappoint. This actually appears to be a relatively unknown release but it was on Asaph Records which was a very know label. The album itself has a strong mid 80’s New Wave feel and quite frankly I wish i had heard it earlier because it is a fantastic album. I suspect they were a little late with the sound so that may be part of the reason it is a lesser known release.

Tracklist
1 – I Am Not Afraid – 4:05
2 – What Do You Say – 3:27
3 – Longing To See You – 5:51
4 – 4,000 Monday – 5:22
5 – I Will Believe In You – 4:05
6 – Psalm 40 – 4:32
7 – Day Of Understanding – 4:13
8 – Hello My Friend – 3:26
9 – I Will Stand – 3:49
10 – Run Away – 4:53

Credits
Arranged By – The Mirrors
Art Direction – Antonio Lozano
Backing Vocals – Bob Thomason (tracks: 1, 4, 5), Rob Watson (tracks: 5 to 7), Stephanie Watring (tracks: 7, 9)
Bass – Scott Stewart
Drums – Terry McNabb
Engineer [Assistant] – Josh Jaquette
Engineer, Mixed By [Drum Mixing] – Brian Davis
Executive-Producer – Chuck Smith, Lewis McVay
Keyboards – Rob Watson (tracks: 1, 3 to 10)
Lead Guitar – Mike Minardi
Mixed By [Drum Mixing], Mixed By, Mastered By – Doug Doyle
Percussion – Danny Ybarra (tracks: 3, 9, 10)
Producer, Engineer, Mixed By [Drum Mixing], Mixed By, Mastered By, Arranged By – Rob Watson
Rhythm Guitar – Richard Cimino
Vocals, Keyboards – Bill Walden

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Calvary Chapel Publishing
Copyright (c) – Calvary Chapel Publishing

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Trytan – Sylentiger – 1990

Trytan were often referred to as the Christian Rush. This was their second album and it had a very similar sound to their first album. While the vocals are very “Rush” like the music actually stands alone. It showcases the excellent guitar work of Lary Dean as well as the outstanding drumming of Scotty Blackman very well. It was the final studio album from the band that split about the same time this album came out. The album was re-released in 2002 by Millenium Eight Records with a bonus track which is an interview with the band. That track is included with this playlist. Point of trivia is that Trytan was apparently an acronym for “To Reach Youth Through the Almighty Nazarene”.

Tracklist
1 – Take Cover – 5:51
2 – Deadly Masquerade – 4:43
3 – Beyond The Night – 6:46
4 – Star Bound – 5:23
5 – Make Your Move – 5:27
6 – Sylentiger – 4:32
7 – Here To Stay – 6:48
8 – Playing With Fire – 6:40
9 – Life Goes On – 4:32
10 – Waking The Giant – 4:03
11 – By My Spirit – 3:32
12 – Bonus Track: Interview – 18:18

Credits
Bass, Keyboards – Steve Robinson
Drums – Jim Dobbs
Engineer – Jerry Mikulich, Joe Bader
Executive-Producer – Doug Mann
Guitar, Vocals – Lary Dean
Illustration, Design – Jeff Spencer, Sudden Images
Music By – Lary Dean (tracks: 1 to 10), Leslie Phillips (tracks: 11), Steve Robinson (tracks: 2, 3, 9, 10)
Other [Hair, Make-Up] – Rohnda Dean
Photography By – Lenny Tyler
Producer – Jerry Mikulich, Joe Bader, Trytan
Words By – Lary Dean (tracks: 1 to 10), Leslie Phillips (tracks: 11)

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Bob Hanson – ‘Nuff Said – 1990

This is the second of three albums from this Canadian Artist. This album was released on micro label Lorotz but was distributed by Word so it got some good exposure. This is a great Rock album that shows some real talent. It was produced by Roy Salmond of well known Salmond & Mulder who also offered up some keyboards for the album. Bob has also dabbled in the film industry as an extra in a few movies and a bit part in “Toe Tags”. You may not have heard this album in 1990 but you should hear it now if you like good old Rock & Roll.

Tracklist
1 – Cross At The Light – 4:05
2 – There Was A Time – 4:28
3 – You Need To Know – 4:06
4 – When It All Comes Down – 4:31
5 – Child On The Run – 4:29
6 – Seek And You Will Find – 4:25
7 – Open Arms Of Love – 4:40
8 – ‘Nuff Said – 2:36
9 – Signs Of The Times – 4:21
10 – Great Love – 5:19
11 – Fire Of Love – 3:43
12 – The Light He Shines – 5:45

Credits
Arranged By [Arrangements By] – Bob Hanson, Roy Salmond
Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Bob Hanson, Hope Sterling, Joani Bye, Peter Wisstoff
Bass – Miles Hill (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 10)
Booking [Booking And Concert Information] – Hill Top Management
Drums – Michael Root
Engineer – Dale Penner, Roy Salmond
Guitar – Dane DeViller, Tim McKenzie
Keyboards, Programmed By – Roy Salmond
Mixed By – Dave Slagter (tracks: 3 to 6, 11 and 12), Patrick Glover* (tracks: 1, 2, 7 to 10)
Percussion – Daryl Bennett
Photography By – Ron Nickel
Producer – Roy Salmond (tracks: 1 to 4, 6 to 12)
Written-By [All Songs By], Words By, Music By – Bob Hanson

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Harvest Music
Copyright (c) – Harvest Music
Distributed By – Word Communications Ltd.
Distributed By – Spectra Distribution
Pressed By – American Helix – E30215
Recorded At – White Water Studio, Richmond
Recorded At – Blue Wave Studio, Vancouver
Engineered At – White Water Studio, Richmond
Engineered At – Blue Wave Studio, Vancouver
Published By – Fields Are White Music
Published By – Hansong Music

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Stryper – Against The Law – 1990

Stryper’s 1990 release was probably my favourite. This is in no small part because of the more commercial sound of the album as I’ve never been a huge Metal fan. This album was very well produced but I bet the Metal fans of Stryper thought it was over produced. The JPM count on this album is much much lower than usual from them. I really think this album could have been a commercial success if it had just come out a few years earlier. Unfortunately at this point in history Rock & Roll was headed to it’s dreaded grunge sound. The album actually has several songs centered on women and I bet there’s an interesting story in Michael Sweet’s life at the time. To me one of the stand out tracks is “Lady” which is an excellent rock ballad that could have easily played on radio just a few years earlier. The strange cut on the album is a cover of Earth Wind & Fire’s Shining Star which actually is pretty good. They did close out the album with a Metal song for their base fans, “Rock the Hell Out of You”

Tracklist
1 – Against The Law – 3:49
2 – Two Time Woman – 3:40
3 – Rock The People – 3:34
4 – Two Bodies (One Mind One Soul) – 5:17
5 – Not That Kind Of Guy – 3:59
6 – Shining Star – 4:22
7 – Ordinary Man – 3:51
8 – Lady – 4:53
9 – Caught In The Middle – 3:48
10 – All For One – 4:31
11 – Rock The Hell Out Of You – 3:35

Credits
A&R [A&R Administration] – Jacqui Randle
A&R [A&R Direction] – John Guarnieri
Art Direction – Patrick Pending
Art Direction, Design – Rudy Tuesday
Backing Vocals [Additional Background Vocals] – Jeff Scott Soto
Bass – Randy Jackson (tracks: B1)
Bass, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Tim Gaines
Drums – Robert Sweet
Engineer [Assistant Engineer (Devonshire)] – Mike Bosley
Engineer [Assistant Engineer (Music Grinder)] – Lawrence Ethan
Engineer [Assistant Engineer (The Record Plant)] – Buzz Morrows
Guitar, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Oz Fox
Keyboards – John Purdell
Keyboards [Additional Keyboards/Tour Keyboards] – Brent Jeffers
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar, Backing Vocals [Background Vocals] – Michael Sweet
Mixed By, Recorded By – Eddie DeLena
Other [Clothing] – Fleur Thiemeyer
Other [Makeup] – Kyle Tucy Sweet
Photography By [Band Photography] – Neil Zlozower
Photography By [Special Photo Printing] – David Perry
Photography By [Still-Life Photography] – Ed Colver
Producer, Percussion – Tom Werman
Typography [Typesetting] – Jeannine Pinkerton

Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Enigma Records
Copyright (c) – Enigma Records
Mixed At – Record Plant, Los Angeles
Recorded At – Music Grinder Studios
Recorded At – Devonshire Studios

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Lex Rex – The Devil’s Nightmare – 1990

This is a rather mysterious release from Lex Rex. While researching this album I found a variety of stories behind this album. Some said it was a copy of a demo and some say it was recorded but not released and someone found a cassette. Yet another story is that Pantrax Records released it in 1990 on CD from a cassette copy. Also apparently there are another 3 tracks out there somewhere. I have no idea what version of these stories is the truth. Here’s what I do know. It’s a great album with some more great Rock & Roll. To me the album sounds like it was recorded before their “Beat The Heat” but who knows. It has a more raw sound and I can hear some early Van Halen vibes. If you liked “Beat The Heat” you’ll love this one.

Tracklist:
1 – The Physician
2 – Gotta Friend
3 – Love King
4 – Run Horse Run
5 – Bad Blood
6 – Ya Gotta Move
7 – Heart Soul and Mind
8 – Black Day
9 – Another Son

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Crumbächer-Duke ‎- Worlds Away – 1990

When Crumbächer dissolved members Stephen Crumbächer and Christopher Duke went on to record this album and called in David Huff from White Heart to help them out on drums. The album has more guitar than their releases as Crumbächer but Stephen’s signature keyboards are still there though with more piano than usual. As I listened to it I couldn’t help feeling like it was Crumbächer all grown up. The songs are much better both lyrically and musically. That said the album just didn’t hold my interest like the previous Crumbächer albums did but it’s a good album and deserves a listen.

Tracklist
1 – Worlds Away – 4:18
2 – Heavy Rhythm – 4:15
3 – Summer Children – 3:25
4 – The Last Time – 5:07
5 – Desert Lightning – 4:09
6 – Latter Rains – 6:35
7 – Hooks – 4:04
8 – No Kind Of Magic – 4:11
9 – Perfect Crime – 3:00
10 – Tears Of Joy – 4:32
11 – Rock In The Heart Place – 4:20
12 – Over & Over, On & On – 3:50

Credits
Acoustic Guitar – Christopher Duke
Art Direction – Ed McTaggart
Design – Joe Potter
Drums – David Huff
Electric Guitar – Christopher Duke
Engineer – Eric Kibbe
Keyboards – Stephen Crumbächer
Piano – Stephen Crumbächer
Producer – Christopher Duke, Stephen Crumbächer
Vocals – Stephen Crumbächer

Companies, etc.
Distributed By – The Benson Company, Inc.
Recorded At – Mixing Lab A
Recorded At – Mixing Lab B

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Vox Dei – Quitate la Máscara – 1990

Vox Dei is one of the top Spanish Christian bands of all time and this was their first release in 1990. Of course I can’t understand most of it however I find the music to be well done and while a little raw, typical for a first album, they are very talented musicians. The album has 3 Spanish covers of English CCM songs.

Joe English – Power of Prayer – “El Poder de la Oracion”

Resurrection Band – Lovin’ You – “Siempre Te Amare”

Darrell Mansfield – Bible Study (La Droga No Es Solucion – Drugs are Not the Solution)

The Darrell Mansfield cover apparently has the lyrics reworked into a anti drug song.

If you only listen to one Spanish Christian album this should probably be the one.

Tracklist
1 – Quitate la Máscara – (Take off the Mask)
2 – Libre de Egipto – (Free of Egypt)
3 – Amor Verdadero – (True Love)
4 – Salmo 23 – (Psalm 23)
5 – Gloria Al Señor – (Glory to the Lord)
6 – El Poder de la Oracion – (The Power of Prayer)
7 – La Droga No Es Solucion – (Drugs are Not the Solution)
8 – Salmo 150 – (Psalm 150)
9 – Vivo Está – (Live)
10 – Siempre Te Amare – (Lovin’ You)

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Barren Cross ‎– Hotter Than Hell! Live – 1990

This is a live album that I believe was from the tour to support Atomic Arena. It was recorded at the International Ballroom, Pico Rivera CA. There are 6 songs from “Rock for the King”, 6 from “Atomic Arena”, and there are also 2 “concert tunes”. I’m going to go out on a limb here and give my thoughts on why this album exists. It was released after theit third album “State Of Control” but was obviously the support tour for “Atomic Arena”. The recording is poor as if it wasn’t actually recorded for release. It is my theory that the label “Medusa Records”, a division of “Enigma Records” simply put it out as a cash grab. The recording just doesn’t have that professionally recorded feel. That said live albums are more for the bands real fans and as such this album will fill that void.

Tracklist
1 – Imaginary Music
2 – Dying Day
3 – Killers Of The Unborn
4 – Close To The Edge
5 – Going Nowhere
6 – Dead Lock
7 – Opus To The Third Heaven
8 – King Of Kings
9 – In The Eye Of The Fire
10 – Rock For The King
11 – Light The Flame
12 – Terrorist Child
13 – King Jesus & Blues Jam
14 – Give Your Life

Credits
Bass – Jim LaVerde
Design – Lisa Sutton (2)
Drums – Steve Whitaker
Guitar – Mike Lee (2), Ray Parris
Guitar [Guest] – Vince Mendoza
Keyboards [Guest] – Christine Whitaker
Management – International Management Group
Mixed By – Robert Feist
Mixed By [Assistant] – Don Tittle
Photography By – Gary Apodaca
Recorded By – Jim Faraci
Vocals – Mike Lee (2)
Vocals [Guest] – Alaysius Collado

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Lex Rex – Beat The Heat – 1990

This is the one and only album from Lex Rex. It’s a good Heavy Metal album though a few tracks are just good old Rock & Roll.

The name is quite unique and is Latin for “God’s law is King”. Bass player Curt Walsh went on to tour with Clay Walker and Tony Vines now makes very high quality custom guitars.

Other than that there’s not a lot to say about the album other than it’s pretty darn good.

Track Listing:
1 – Blown Away – 4:34
2 – Beat The Heat – 3:29
3 – A Broken Heart – 4:48
4 – My Lord – 3:25
5 – I Kill Devils – 4:17
6 – Blood Of Love – 4:02
7 – Crying In The Night – 5:27
8 – Absolute Perfection – 3:24
9 – Sledgehammer – 4:00
10 – Daddy – 4:00

Credits:
Bass – Curt Walsh
Drums – Tony Vines (2)
Guitar – Tom Brock (3)
Producer – Lex Rex
Vocals – Harv Prichard
Written-By – Harv Prichard (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9), Tom Brock (3) (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10)

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