Shallow Reign - s/t (1986)

You'd think there would be more mentions of this long begotten Dallas, TX artifact, if only due to the fact that bands of Shallow Reign's chosen persuasion (Paisley Underground) weren't all that ubiquitous, even circa the mid-80s.  

After some four decades you'd think that the Dream Syndicate, Bangles, Three O'Clock and the Rain Parade were all said niche had to offer, given it's rather narrow anthologizing.  

Truth is there were likely lots more worthy neo-psych hopefuls in the Reagan-era that simply weren't able to benefit from the widespread exposure of their Cali contemporaries. 

Not that what Shallow Reign brought to the table was as fresh and/or innovative as the aforementioned, but despite the arguable deficit of originality they compensated in spades with sheer capability and competence.  

On their debut LP they genuinely put in their homework, with certain numbers including "Understanding Kiss" and the driving "One Last Chance" veritably rivaling the most convincing missives from not only the Syndicate and Rain Parade, but also lesser spoken of entities Absolute Grey and Winter Hours.  

They did earn a slot on the Sound of Deep Ellum compilation, yet none of the more Paisley-centric various artist compendiums (including Children of Nuggets, and the more recent This Can't Be Today) bothered to include S/R on their otherwise exhaustive rosters.  

A very much under-the-radar find, and though I weighed the possibility of saving this one for one of my Chanukah posts, Shallow Reign struck me as being a tad inconsistent to qualify.  

Eye of the beholder of course, so feel free to share your thoughts after giving this a listen or two.  

Tracklist

1.  Celtic - 4:25

2.  Understanding Kiss - 3:55

3.  In Your Mind - 4:42

4.  328 Regret - 4:00

     Vocals – Bob Watson 

5.  Long Time Ago - 2:36

6.  Forever - 3:25

7.  One Last Chance - 2:14

8.  All Alone - 3:13

9.  Reflection - 5:15

Companies, etc.

Recorded At – Studio West, Austin, TX.

Produced For – Pool Productions

Mastered At – EMI America Recording Studios

Pressed By – Rainbo Records – S-15950

Pressed By – Rainbo Records – S-15951

Credits

Bass – Mark Thomas 

Design – Marc Gist

Drums, Vocals – Jan Paul Davidsson

Engineer – Kerry Crafton

Guitar – Bob Watson 

Lacquer Cut By – M.M

Lead Guitar – Patrick Sugg

Music By – Shallow Reign

Photography By – Ron English 

Producer, Keyboards – Patrick S. Keel

Notes

Released: 1986

Genre: Rock

Style: Alternative Rock, Psychedelic Rock

Runtime: 34:33

Label - Pool Records 

Animotion - Obsession - The Best Of Animotion (1996)

Animotion is an American synth-pop band from Los Angeles, California, best known for the songs "Obsession", "Let Him Go", "I Engineer", and "Room to Move". 

Formed in 1983 from the remnants of a retro science-fiction band called Red Zone, the band emerged during the height of the new wave and synth-pop movement, combining electronic instrumentation with rock influences. 

They signed a record deal with Mercury Records in 1984 and released four studio albums.

Obsession: The Best of Animotion is a compact compilation album that highlights the band's 1980s synth-pop and new wave hits, anchored by their iconic smash track "Obsession"

• Standard Tracks: Includes recognizable hits and deep cuts like "Obsession," "Let Him Go," "I Want You," "I Engineer," "Strange Behavior," "Anxiety," "Room to Move," and "Calling It Love".

• Remixes: Features extended or club mixes of core tracks like "Obsession," "Let Him Go," "I Want You," and "I Engineer".

• The High Point: The opening track and main staple, "Obsession"—co-written by Michael Des Barres and Holly Knight—remains a quintessential 1980s synth-pop masterpiece, praised for its icy synthesizers, driving beat, and dramatic duet vocals.

• The Rest of the Catalog: Critics and listener reviews on platforms like Rate Your Music point out that while "Obsession" is a standout marvel, some of the surrounding album cuts and tracks like "Calling It Love" can feel a bit dated or overly cheesy by comparison.

• The Remixes: The inclusion of extended 12-inch and club mixes gives fans a nostalgic look at mid-80s remix culture, though opinions on their essential value vary depending on personal taste for repetitive club edits

Tracklist

1.  Obsession - 5:35

2.  Let Him Go - 4:26

3.  I Want You - 4:36

4.  I Engineer - 4:14

5.  Strange Behavior - 3:56

6.  Anxiety - 4:13

7.  Room To Move - 4:34

8.  Calling It Love - 4:49

9.  Obsession (12 Inch Remix Version) - 7:32

     Remix [Uncredited] – Mark Berry

10.  Let Him Go (12 Inch Remix Version) - 6:03

       Remix [Uncredited] – John Ryan, Mark Kamins

11.  I Want You (12 Inch Remix Version) - 6:47

       Remix [Uncredited] – Mark Kamins

12.  I Engineer (12 Inch Remix Version) - 10:57

       Remix [Uncredited] – Steve Thompson & Michael Barbiero

Companies, etc.

Record Company – PolyGram Records, Inc.

Made By – PMDC, USA

Manufactured By – PolyGram Records, Inc.

Marketed By – PolyGram Records, Inc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – PolyGram Records, Inc.

Copyright © – PolyGram Records, Inc.

Credits

Artwork By [Art Direction] – Ron Kellum

Artwork By [Illustration] – SteeleWorks

Bass – Charles Ottavio (tracks: 1 to 6, 9, 10)

Compilation Producer – Bill Levenson

Drums – Frenchy O'Brien (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 10)

Drums, Percussion – Jim Blair (tracks: 3 to 6, 11, 12)

Guitar – Bill Wadhams (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 12), Don Kirkpatrick

Keyboards – Bill Wadhams (tracks: 3 to 6, 11, 12), Greg Smith (tracks: 3 to 8, 11, 12), Paul Antonelli (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 10)

Mastered By – Steve Fallone

Other [Project Assistance] – Catherine Ladis

Other [Project Coordination] – Terri Tierney

Performer [Additional Musician] – Dennis Belfield (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 10), Gary Chang (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 12), Greg Smith (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 10), Jeff Stern (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 10), Mike Baird (tracks: 3 to 6, 11, 12), Stevie Fryette* (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 10), Tad Wadhams (tracks: 3 to 6, 11, 12)

Producer – John Ryan (tracks: 1, 2, 9, 10), Richie Zito (tracks: 3 to 6, 11, 12), Steve Barri (tracks: 7, 8), Tony Peluso (tracks: 7, 8)

Programmed By [Fairlight] – Holly Knight (tracks: 1), Jeff Harris (tracks: 1)

Recorded By [Fairlight] – Jeff Harris (tracks: 1)

Vocals – Astrid Plane (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 12), Bill Wadhams (tracks: 1 to 6, 9 to 12), Cynthia Rhodes (tracks: 7, 8), Paul Engemann (tracks: 7, 8)

Written-By – Anton Fig (tracks: 8), Bernie Taupin (tracks: 4, 12), Bill Wadhams (tracks: 2, 3, 10, 11), David Morgan (tracks: 6), Dennis Morgan (tracks: 7), Desmond Child (tracks: 8), Don Kirkpatrick (tracks: 5, 6), Holly Knight (tracks: 1, 4, 9, 12), John Davis (51) (tracks: 6), Michael Des Barres (tracks: 1, 9), Mike Chapman (tracks: 4, 12), Randy Sharp (tracks: 5), Rick Neigher (tracks: 3, 11), Rob Fisher (tracks: 7), Simon Climie (tracks: 7)

Notes

Released: 1996

Genre:  Electronic, Rock

Style:  Pop Rock, Synth-pop

Runtime:  1:08:03

Label - Mercury 

Journey - Open Arms: Greatest Hits – Japanese edition (2006)

Tracklist

1.  Only The Young - 4:06

2.  Don't Stop Believin' - 4:11

3.  Wheel In The Sky - 4:12

4.  Faithfully - 4:26

5.  I'll Be Alright Without You - 4:34

6.  Any Way You Want It - 3:23

7.  Ask The Lonely  - 3:54

8.  Who's Crying Now - 5:02

9.  Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - 5:26

10.  Lights - 3:10

11.  Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' - 3:54

12.  Open Arms - 3:19

13.  Girl Can't Help It - 3:50

14.  Send Her My Love - 3:55

15.  Be Good To Yourself - 3:55

16.  When You Love A Woman - 4:10

Companies, etc.

• Record Company – CBS Inc.
• Manufactured By – Columbia Records
• Remastered At – Masterdisk
• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Records Inc.
• Copyright © – CBS Records Inc.
• Manufactured By – CBS Records Inc.
• Produced For – RTB Audio Visual Productions Inc.
• Produced For – Mike Stone Enterprises, Ltd.
• Produced For – Elson Music Vision, Inc.
• Remixed At – Mediasound
• Published By – Twist And Shout Music
• Published By – Weed High Nightmare Music
• Published By – Street Talk Tunes
• Published By – Rock Dog
• Published By – Frisco Kid Music
• Published By – Colgems-EMI Music Inc.
• Pressed By – Columbia Records Pressing Plant, Carrollton, GA

Credits

• Bass – Randy Jackson (tracks: A5, B6, B8), Ross Valory (tracks: A1 to A4, A6 to B5, B7)
• Coordinator [Production Coordinator] – Kevin Elson
• Cover [Cover Art] – Kelley
• Direct Metal Mastering By – dG
• Drums – Aynsley Dunbar (tracks: A3, B3), Larrie Londin (tracks: A5, B6, B8), Steve Smith (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A6 to B2, B4, B5, B7)
• Guitar – Neal Schon
• Keyboards – Gregg Rolie (tracks: A3, A6, B3, B4), Jonathan Cain (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A5, A7, B1, B2, B5 to B8)
• Lead Vocals – Steve Perry
• Management – Herbie Herbert Management, Inc.
• Mixed By – Bob Clearmountain (tracks: A1)
• Producer – Geoffrey Workman (tracks: A6), Kevin Elson (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A6 to B2, B5, B7), Mike Stone (tracks: A1, A2, A4, A7 to B2, B5, B7), Roy Thomas Baker (tracks: A3, B3, B4), Steve Perry (tracks: A5, B6, B8)
• Remastered By [Digital Remastering] – Bob Ludwig
• Remix – Steve Thompson & Michael Barbiero (tracks: A5)

**Albums**
Journey - Infinity (1978): A3, B3
Journey - Evolution (1979): B4
Journey - Departure (1980): A6
Journey - Escape (1981): A2, B1, B5
Journey - Frontiers (1983): A4, B2, B7
Various - Two Of A Kind - Music From The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (1983): A7
Various - Vision Quest (Original Motion Picture Sound Track) (1985): A1
Journey - Raised On Radio (1986): A5, B6, B8

Notes

Released: 1988

Genre:  Rock, Stage & Screen

Style:  Arena Rock, Classic Rock, AOR, Soundtrack

Runtime: 1:05:29

Label - CBS 

Bryan Ferry (feat. Amelia Barratt) - Loose Talk (Instrumentals) (2025)

Tracklist

1.  Big Things (Instrumental) - 2:46

2.  Stand Near Me (Instrumental) - 3:41

3.  Florist (Instrumental) - 5:43

4.  Cowboy Hat (Instrumental) - 2:51

5.  Demolition (Instrumental) - 2:49

6.  Orchestra (Instrumental) - 3:09

7.  Holiday (Instrumental) - 3:05

8.  Landscape (Instrumental) - 3:24

9.  Pictures On A Wall (Instrumental) - 3:34

10.  White Noise (Instrumental) - 3:05

11.  Loose Talk (Instrumental) - 3:26

Companies, etc.

Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Dene Jesmond Records Ltd.

Copyright © – Dene Jesmond Records Ltd.

Recorded At – Studio One, London

Mastered At – Air Mastering

Credits

Artwork – Florence de la Fournière, James Garzke

Bass – Alan Spenner, Guy Pratt, James Eller, Maxwell Sterling, Neil Jason

Consultant [Production] – Rhett Davies

Drums – Andy Newmark, Nathan Curran, Paul Thompson, Tara Ferry

Engineer [Additional Engineering By] – Chloe Smith, Matthew Miller (4), Simon Willey

Guitar – Jeff Thall, Neil Hubbard, Ollie Thompson, Tom Vanstiphout

Liner Notes – Damien Love

Mastered By – John Webber

Music By – Bryan Ferry

Photography By – Amelia Barratt, Bryan Ferry

Piano, Keyboards – Bryan Ferry

Producer – Bryan Ferry, James Garzke

Programmed By – James Garzke, Maxwell Sterling, Richard T. Norris

Recorded By, Mixed By – James Garzke

Voice – Amelia Barratt

Words By – Amelia Barratt

Notes

Released:  Mar 28, 2025

Genre:  Electronic, Rock

Style:  Spoken Word, Soft Rock, Art Rock

Runtime:  37:32

Label - Dene Jesmond Records 

Meat Loaf - Paradise By The Dashboardlight: The Very (1991)

Tracklist

1.  Paradise by the Dashboard Light - 8:26

2.  For Crying Out Loud - 8:07

3.  Midnight Lost and Found - 3:31

     Written-By – Peyron, Aday, Christie, Buslowe

4.  Dead Ringer for Love - 4:21

5.  Read'em and Weep - 5:27

6.  Two Out of Three Ain't Bad - 5:23

7.  You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth - 5:04

8.  Heaven Can Wait - 4:49

9.  More Than You Deserve - 6:37

10.  I'll Kill You If You Don't Come Back - 6:27

11.  Modern Girl - 4:28

       Written-By – Jacobs, Durkee

12.  Bat Out of Hell - 9:49

                                                   

Companies, etc.

• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Arcade Benelux B.V.
• Copyright © – Arcade Benelux B.V.
• Marketed By – Arcade Benelux B.V.
• Distributed By – Arcade Benelux B.V.
• Glass Mastered At – CDM 
• Pressed By – Europe Optical Disc

Credits

• Written-By – Steinman

Notes

Released:  1991 

Genre: Rock 

Style: Pop Rock, Power Pop 

Runtime:  1:07:40

Label - Arcade  

Kurtis Blow - The Best Of Kurtis Blow (1994)

Tracklist

1.  The Breaks - 7:49

2.  Christmas Rappin - 3:56

3.  Hard Times - 4:39

4.  Starlife - 5:25

5.  Tough - 6:51

6.  Daydreamin' - 4:26

7.  Party Time - 6:47

8.  One-Two-Five (Main Street, Harlem, USA) - 5:13

     Featuring – Run-DMC 

9.  8 Million Stories - 7:47

10.  AJ Scratch - 5:52

11.  Basketball - 6:26

12.  America - 4:38

13.  If I Ruled the World - 3:56

14.  I'm Chillin' - 3:41

       Producer – Robert Reed

                                                     

Companies, etc.

• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – PolyGram Records, Inc.
• Copyright © – PolyGram Records, Inc.
• Remastered At – Polygram Studios

Credits

• Compilation Producer – Harry Weinger
• Coordinator [Project Coordination] – Terri Tierney
• Design [Package] – Mark Weinberg
• Executive-Producer – Bill Levenson
• Liner Notes [Essay], Other [Creative Consultant] – Nelson George
• Photography By [Photos Courtesy Of] – Bruce Pilato Archives
• Product Manager [Project Assistance] – Catherine Ladis
• Product Manager [Project Director] – Richard Bauer
• Remastered By [Digitally] – Gary Mayo

Notes

Released: 1994

Series: Funk Essentials

Genre: Hip Hop

Style: Pop Rap, Electro

Runtime: 1:17:27

Label - Mercury

Albert Hammond - The Very Best Of Albert Hammond (1990)

Tracklist

1.  The Free Electric Band - 3:24

2.  The Peacemaker - 2:40

3.  Down By The River - 3:01

4.  When I Need You - 4:28

5.  Rebecca - 3:03

6.  99 Miles From L.A. - 3:57

7.  It Never Rains In Southern California - 3:51

8.  Everything I Want To Do - 2:50

9.  We're Running Out - 2:52

10.  If You Gotta Break Another Heart - 2:34

11.  Moonlight Lady - 3:05

12.  These Are The Good Old Days - 3:25

13.  I'm A Train - 3:17

14.  New York City Here I Come - 3:06

15.  Half A Million Miles From Home - 2:45

16.  The Air That I Breathe - 3:48

Companies, etc.

• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – CBS Grammofoonplaten B.V.
• Copyright © – CBS United Kingdom Ltd.
• Glass Mastered At – Disctronics S

Credits

• Written-By – A. Hammond (tracks: 4, 6, 11, 12), Carole Bayer Sager (tracks: 4, 11), H. David (tracks: 6), A. Hammond-M. Hazlewood (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 7 to 10, 13 to 16), Roger Cook (tracks: 12)

Notes

Released:  Apr 1990

Series:  CBS Collectors Choice

Genre:  Pop

Runtime:  52:40

Label - CBS

Imagination - Flashback (Revised & Remixed Classics, 40th Anniversary Edition) (2021)

Tracklist

1.  Music And Lights (Graeme Park & Mike Pickering Of Tcoy Remix) (5:02)

2.  Just An Illusion (Graeme & Mike Pickering Of Tcoy Remix) (5:52)

3.  Changes (Larry Levan 12'' Remix) (7:47)

4.  Body Talk (Frankie Knuckles Remix) (7:15)

5.  So Good, So Right (Craig Kallman Remix) (4:29)

6.  Burning Up (David Morales Remix) (4:50)

7.  Changes (David Morales Remix) (6:33)

8.  Heart 'n' Soul (Night Dubbing Remix) (4:11)

9.  Flashback (Night Dubbing Remix) (6:15)

10.  Changes (Dimitri From Paris Is Back To The Garage Mix) (9:32)

11.  Just An Illusion (Dub Mix) (4:01)

12.  Music And Lights (Dub Remix) (5:39)

13.  Body Talk (Dub Mix) (3:30)

14.  So Good, So Right (Dub Mix) (4:39)

15.  Music And Lights, Just An Illusion, So Good, So Right, Flashback (Megamix) (8:17)

Core Personnel & Artists

Main Band / Artists: Imagination (Leee John, Errol Kennedy, Ashley Ingram)
Remixers & Producers Featured on the 2021 Edition:
• Graeme Park & Mike Pickering (T. Coy / Haçienda style remixes for tracks like Music and Lights and Just An Illusion)
• Larry Levan (Remixer for Changes)
• Frankie Knuckles (Remixer for Body Talk)
• Craig Kallman (Remixer for So Good, So Right)
• David Morales (Remixer/Producer for Burning Up and Changes)

Notes

Release:  2021

Genre:  Soul/Funk/R&B Disco

Total length: 01:27:42

Label - R&B Division Ltd

Bryan Ferry - The Greatest (1998)

Tracklist

1.  The 'In' Crowd - 4:34

2.  You Go To My Head - 2:43

3.  This Is Tomorrow - 3:40

4.  Sign Of The Times - 2:"8

5.  Slave To Love  (12" Remix) - 5:48 

6.  Don't Stop The Dance  (Special 12" Remix) - 5:45

7.  Is Your Love Strong Enough  (Long Version) - 7:13

8.  The Right Stuff  (Single Mix) - 4:23

9.  Kiss And Tell  (Dance Mix) - 7:06

10.  Limbo  (Latin Mix-Radio Edit) - 4:09

11.  Let's Stick Together  (Westside '88 Remix) - 2:54

12.  The Price Of Love  (The R&B '89 Remix) - 3:24

13.  I Put a Spell On You - 5:27

14.  Your Painted Smile - 3:19

15.  Don't Stop The Dance - 4:18

16.  Slave To Love - 4:17

17.  Toyko Joe - 2:08

18.  Limbo  (Latin Mix) (Bonus) - 6:40

19.  The Right Stuff  (12" Remix) (Bonus) - 6:35

Companies, etc.

• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – E.G. Records Ltd.
• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Virgin Records Ltd.
• Copyright © – Toshiba EMI Ltd
• Manufactured By – Toshiba EMI Ltd

Credits

• Liner Notes – Yamazaki Satoshi

Notes

Released:  Mar 28, 1998 

Series:  The Greatest 

Format:  CD, Compilation, Limited Edition 

Genre:  Pop Rock, Synth-pop, Glam 

Runtime:  1:29:08 

Label - Virgin 

Blue Öyster Cult - Agents Of Fortune (40th Anniversary, Live 2016) (2020)

Tracklist

1. This Ain't The Summer Of Love - 2:17

    Written-By – Albert Bouchard, Don Waller, Murray Krugman

2. True Confessions - 2:49

    Written-By – Allen Lanier

3. (Don't Fear) The Reaper - 5:14

    Written-By – Donald Roeser

4. E.T.I. Extra Terrestrial Intelligence - 3:59

    Written-By – Donald Roeser, Eric Bloom, Sandy Pearlman

5. The Revenge Of Vera Gemini - 4:03

    Written-By – Albert Bouchard, Patti Smith

6. Sinful Love - 3:17

    Written-By – Albert Bouchard, Helen Robbins

7. Tattoo Vampire - 2:38

    Written-By – Albert Bouchard, Helen Robbins

8. Morning Final - 4:41

    Written-By – Joe Bouchard

9. Tenderloin - 3:49

    Written-By – Allen Lanier

10. Debbie Denise - 4:15

      Written-By – Albert Bouchard, Patti Smith

Companies, etc.

• Exclusive Retailer – Newbury Comics
• Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Bivalve Omnimedia Corps LLC
• Copyright © – Bivalve Omnimedia Corps LLC
• Licensed To – Frontiers Records
• Copyright © – 3.O.C. Music, Inc.
• Published By – Peer Music Publishing
• Published By – Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
• Published By – Sony/ATV Tunes LLC
• Published By – Hall-Clement Publishing

Credits

• Art Direction – Carson Alcoser
• Bass – Kasim Sulton
• Co-producer – Brandon Gambino
• Cover [Art] – Stan-W Decker
• Directed By – Derek Manning
• Drums, Percussion – Jules Radino
• Edited By – Brandon Gambino
• Editor [Assistant] – Jeff Bauer
• Graphics – Nolan Cubero
• Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals – Eric Bloom, Richie Castellano
• Guitar, Percussion, Vocals, Guest [Special] – Albert Bouchard
• Guitar, Vocals – Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser
• Layout – Stan-W Decker
• Photography By – Derek Manning
• Producer – Steve Schenck
• Production Manager – Brooke Devries
• Video Editor – Richie Castellano, Steve Schenck

Notes

Released: 2020

Genre: Rock

Style: Hard Rock

Runtime: 

Label - Frontiers Music