Well it’s time for some Jazz infused seventies soul again. I’m still unable to find any background on the band but this album included member Rick Riso who is relatively well known as far as CCM goes. So we will have to stick to talking abut the album. I actually prefer this one to their second album as it seems a little mo0re raw which makes this style sound a little more interesting. If you like your CCM a little funky and pretty soulful this is the one for you.
Tracklist 1 – The New Has Come – 4:01 2 – I Feel Secure – 4:05 3 – Jesus Died For Me – 3:49 4 – I Love My Jesus – 3:39 5 – My Savior’s Love – 4:20 6 – Set Your Mind – 4:03 7 – Take My Yoke Upon You – 3:24 8 – Fill Me With Your Spirit – 3:53 9 – Wings Of Salvation – 3:54 10 – Live In Jesus’ Light – 4:03
Credits Rick Riso – Vocals & Guitars Si Simonson – Keyboards Jim DeLong – Drums & Percussion
Companies, etc. Record Company – Light Records Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Lexicon Music, Inc. Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc. Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Santa Maria Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
If you’re looking for some Funky Jazz this is the album for you. This was the second and last album from Messenger. I checked and none of the members of the band seem to have done anything more except for Rick Riso who had 2 albums in the 80’s and one in the 90’s. He also had a whole bunch of albums with his wife. Other than that I couldn’t really find out much about this band. Like I say the album has a Jazz infused Funk feel and is actually really well done. Pity this band didn’t keep on as they did know what they were doing.
Tracklist
1 – Bringin’ The Message – 2:57
2 – Our Love Will Grow – 4:40
3 – Livin’ In Love – 2:44
4 – Pressin’ On – 3:47
5 – Song In The Night – 3:51
6 – Changin’ Me – 4:16
7 – All You Need – 3:20
8 – I Still Love You – 5:08
9 – Now Is The Time – 3:16
10 – Home To You – 4:25
Credits
Acoustic Bass – Dave Marotta
Arranged By – Messenger
Arranged By [Strings] – Clark Gassman
Arranged By [Vocals] – Si Simonson
Artwork, Design – Thel
Backing Vocals – Rebecca Sue Sherburn
Drums – Mike Feller
Electric Bass – Dave Marotta
Executive-Producer – Bill Cole
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Jerry Hey
Keyboards – Si Simonson
Lacquer Cut By [KP in runouts] – KP
Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Guitar – Rick Riso
Percussion – Fred Petry, Mike Feller
Producer – Rick Riso, Si Simonson
Saxophone – Kim Hutchcroft
Strings – L.A. Superstrings, Sidney Sharp
Tenor Saxophone – Larry Williams
Trombone – Bill Reichenbach
Vibraphone – Larry Troxel (tracks: B5)
Companies, etc.
Phonographic Copyright (p) – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Published By – Lexicon Music, Inc.
Recorded At – Martinsound
Recorded At – United Western Studios
Mastered At – Capitol Mastering
This is the second album I’ve covered by Rick. When I listened to the first album I really couldn’t find much info on Rick but since then I’ve learnt much more about him. While he only had 3 solo albums he also has 5 albums with his wife Cathy and I look forward to listening to them soon. He is also very active in the Christian community and still travels and sings in many sanctuaries. As for the album it’s a fun easy listening pop album which was the style of the day. The only charting single of the album, “Faithful” made it to #21 on the CCM charts and quite frankly there’s a few more tracks that could have singled in my opinion.
Tracklist 1 – Forever – 3:53 2 – Faithful – 4:05 3 – Even If – 4:34 4 – I Find Your Love Again – 4:00 5 – Sure Thing – 4:30 6 – Shouting At The Walls – 4:50 7 – No Fear Of Flying – 4:43 8 – Heart’s Desire – 4:25 9 – Edge Of Darkness – 4:35 10 – See The Light – 4:44
Credits Artist – Rick Riso Arranged By – Brad Cole Composer – Ralph Blane, Hugh Martin, Randy Thoma Engineer – Tim Jaquette Executive Producer – Chris Christian Producer – Rick Riso, Tim Jaquette
Rick Riso was the lead singer for Messenger in the 70’s who released 2 albums the last in 1978. Rick then disappeared until this album showed up in 1985. The style is similar to Messenger with a funk feel/sound. As I mentioned on my review of a Messenger album I really can’t find out much about Rick. There just isn’t any info on him. This is a little odd as this album had a top 10 single. “Gotta Have The Real Thing” made it to #10 in October of 85 and even stayed on the charts for 22 weeks. So I’ll have to leave the review at that. This is a fun funk pop album and deserves a listen.
Tracklist 1 – Don’t Let It Fool You – 4:16 2 – Remember Me – 4:32 3 – Gotta Have The Real Thing – 4:00 4 – He Is Willing – 3:43 5 – I Only Wanna Follow You – 4:12 6 – Take A Stand And Fight – 4:23 7 – Your Loving Hands – 3:49 8 – Armor Of The Lord – 4:21 9 – Each Moment Of My Life – 3:54 10 – Worship You – 3:56
Credits Backing Vocals – Donny Henderson Bass – Dave Marotta, Leon Gaer Bass, Backing Vocals – Tim Jaquette Drums – Dave Spurr, John Ferraro Engineer, Mixed By – Tim Jaquette Executive Producer – Chris Christian Guitar – Carl Verheyen, Carlos Rios Guitar, Backing Vocals – Bob Somma Harmony Vocals – Alexa Anatasia Keyboards, Arranged By – Bill Meyers, Mark Levang Mastered By – Bernie Grundman Percussion – Paul Bahn Producer, Lead Vocals, Backing Vocals, Songwriter – Rick Riso Saxophone – Brandon Fields Songwriter – Joey Arreguin Synthesizer – Marc Hugenberger Synthesizer, Backing Vocals, Arranged By, Keyboards – Brad Cole Trumpet – Walt Fowler
Companies, etc. Recorded At – Studio Masters Mixed At – Studio Masters Mastered At – Bernie Grundman Mastering
This was a sampler from Myrrh that featured known and unknown artists. Here is a bit about these artists and their respective tracks;
Tata Vega – “In Your Light” – Tata Vega is a secular artist who had great success in the 70’s with stage musicals. As far as I can tell she never released a Christian album. The track appears to be unreleased.
Bob Carlisle – “Heaven Is Waiting” & “Teach Me How” – Bob Carlisle is best known for being in the band Allies in the 80’s and had several solo projects in the 90’s. Both tracks appears to be unreleased.
Bryan Duncan – “Come As You Are” – Bryan is well known for being in Sweet Comfort Band and then a very successful solo career. The track appears to be unreleased.
Matthew Ward – “Light Of The World” – Matthew is well known for being in
2nd Chapter Of Acts and then a very successful solo career. The track appears to be unreleased.
Howard McCrary – “In Your Presence” – Howard released a solo album in 1985 but is better known for being a member of The California Raisins. This track Appears to be unreleased.
Kim Boyce/John Elefante – “Helpless” – Kim Boyce had several Pop Christian albums in the 80’s. John Elefante is well known as a member of Kansas and as a very successful producer in the Christian music scene. The track appears to be unreleased.
Rick Riso – “Heaven Must Have Sent You” – Rick has released 3 Christian albums and this track appeared on “Shouting At The Walls” as a CD Bonus Track.
Benny Hester – “Then You Call My Name” – Benny is a well known solo Christian artist. This track Appears to be unreleased.
Tommy Funderburk – “Lift Up My Voice” – Tommy is best known for being one of the members of The Front. He did also have a solo album in 2005. This track Appears to be unreleased.
Tracklist
1 – Tata Vega – In Your Light – 3:50
2 – Bob Carlisle – Heaven Is Waiting – 4:29
3 – Bryan Duncan – Come As You Are – 4:32
4 – Matthew Ward – Light Of The World – 4:30
5 – Howard McCrary – In Your Presence – 4:23
6 – Kim Boyce, John Elefante – Helpless – 3:28
7 – Rick Riso – Heaven Must Have Sent You – 3:48
8 – Bob Carlisle – Teach Me How – 4:29
9 – Benny Hester – Then You Call My Name – 3:19
10 – Tommy Funderburk – Lift Up My Voice – 4:14
