PAUL SABU – Call Of The Wild (2011)

Legend Paul Sabu is now signed by an UK label, and in anticipation of his next new album with them, they have cobbled together “‘Call Of The Wild”, the essential Sabu collection, featuring 16 remastered classics with an in depth history of one of AOR true Gods.

Everyone knows about Paul Sabu. Don’t you? Well, here’s a little bio.

The Emmy winning singer, songwriter and guitarist has, over the the last quarter-century, sharpened his talents as a producer, session guitarist and songwriter, releasing albums under Kidd Glove, Paul Sabu, Sabu & Only Child.

Sabu’s name is a familiar one to music industry veterans, most of whom know little or nothing about his early disco productions.

His work with artists such as David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Little Caesar, Lee Aaron, Madonna, Malice, Robbie Neville, Motels, The Nelsons, Prince, John Waite, Tattoo Rodeo, Fatal Smile and Shania Twain have earned him 14 Platinum and 11 Gold records.

He also has a lot of movie and tv series soundtrack credits, among which are Accused, American Drive-In, Assault Of The Killer Bimbos, Baywatch, Beverly Hill 90210, Diving In, Ghost Town, Goulies II, Hard Rock Zombies, Meatballs 4, Million Dollar Mystery, Sex And The City, To Die For, Trick Or Treat, Twin Sitters, Vice Versa, and many more.

His own musical vehicles were Sabu (his band) and Only Child, with which he recorded big sounding albums, with lots of depth, fat keyboards, blistering guitars and vocals, combined with great choruses.

No small wonder that he was the darling of several Melodic Rock magazines, who dubbed him an L.A. session King and AOR hero.

So on to the record, and when the words ‘Best Of’ are uttered I wonder sometimes are these the best tracks that could possibly be offered up from an artist.

Well in the case of “Call Of The Wild” they are, as there are so many outstanding tracks on this release, all truly mouth-watering.

The album kicks off with the brilliant “Angeline” from the 1985 classic ‘Heartbreak’ and vocally Sabu has the aura of an americanized David Coverdale and the looks of Kane Roberts, this is swiftly followed by the pounding rock anthem “Just Ask” from one of my all time favourite albums, the ‘Only Child’ debut from 1988.

Next up is title track of the collection, “Call Of The Wild”, again from ‘Heartbreak’ and features some soaring choruses and great vocals, this is followed by, in my opinion, one of the greatest melodic rock songs ever released, the storming “I Believe in You”, again from the Only Child debut, and why this album never sold millions of copies is beyond me.

Sabu tracks ”Cherie” and ”Arms Of A Hangman” are aired up next before we are treated to the awesome title track from ‘Heartbreak’ with its great hook and composition.

The rocking ”Mad Dog” from the 1996 Sabu offering is followed by the sexy & sassy ”I Wanna Touch” from Only Child, before the ‘Kidd Glove’ classic ”Who Else Is Touching You”.

Then the MTV hit ”Always” (my fav Paul song ever) from 1988 with its great chorus and awesome guitar solo precludes the outrageous ”Scream Until You Like It” from Ghoulies II, as covered by W.A.S.P.

The catchy ”Hot Flash” from ‘Heartbreak’ and another personal favourite of the mine, the brilliant ”Save A Place in Your Heart” from the Only Child debut, follow before the more hard rock Sabu tracks ”Bad Blood” and ”Spitfire” bring this magnificent collection of songs to a close.

So with an all new Paul Sabu studio album in the vein of the classics ‘Heartbreak’ and ‘Only Child’ due in early 2012, and his first UK live appearance later that year, things are on the up for Mr Sabu, and I for one can’t wait.

If you’ve never dabbled in Paul Sabu, you need this album. Seriously, just get it at any cost, because it will instantly become a favourite.

If you are an existing fan it’s still a great compilation with a freshly remastered sound.

Trust me when I say this is a slice of pure Melodic Rock / AOR heaven.

An essential purchase.

01 – Angeline

02 – Just Ask

03 – Call Of The Wild

04 – I Believe In You

05 – Cherie

06 – Arms Of A Hangman

07 – Heartbreak

08 – Mad Dog

09 – I Wanna Touch

10 – Who Else Is Touching You

11 – Always

12 – Scream Until You Like It

13 – Hot Flash

14 – Save A Place In Your Heart

15 – Bad Blood

16 – Spitfire

BUY IT !

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