LODGIC – Nomadic Sands [remastered] (2012)

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LODGIC was an American AOR / Lite Prog group formed in Las Vegas, which was active between 1977 and 1987, consisted of five fine musicians who would later make a name for themselves with other acts like World Trade, Unruly Child, Yes.

Their names? Mike Sherwood, Billy Sherwood, Jimmy Haun, Guy Allison and Gary Starnes.

At the mid of the eighties, their manager inked a recording deal with a major label, and moved the band to L.A. to rehearse at Leeds Studio. It was the kick-start for a collaboration with Toto as Leeds was a stomping ground for both bands.

Jeff Porcaro asked if he could bring some other guys to the rehearsal and all of a sudden Lodgic found itself being produced by David Paich & Steve Porcaro along with Tom Knox, and engineered by experienced Tom Fletcher and Greg Ladanyi.

Released in 1985, “Nomadic Sands” is an exquisite and elaborated AOR album including some lite prog touches, with a sound influenced by ’80s Toto, Saga or Yes, while keeping their own musical originality and sophistication.

Listening songs like “Romance”, “Step Back”, “Red Light” or “In The Cards” you will be keep astonished at how the top-notch quality of these compositions has stood the test of time.

“Stand Back” and “Red Light” resonates with an ‘Isolation’ era Toto feel.

The catchy “Rise & Fall” has a typically eighties drum beat over an otherwise Saga type guitar/ keyboard oriented track, while the laid back title track features some fine arrangements normally not present on AOR albums.

The talented Bill Sherwood provided punchy and crystal-clear bass lines with his equally seasoned bandmates. I like to point out the uniqueness of Mike Sherwood’s baritone, as he was also known for background vocals on Toto’s ‘Till The End’ and ‘Lea’.

Upon the LP’s eventual release, lack of promotion caused the demise of the band. Although the album failed to chart in the U.S., the first single “Lonely Man” was featured in the movie Prince of Bel Air, starring Mark Harmon and Kirstie Alley.

The members established themselves in the studio scene, picked up touring or film scoring gigs while building new relationships. Billy Sherwood & Guy Allison Steiner formed the great band World Trade that was, in Mike Sherwood’s opinion, the extension of the Lodgic sound.

Mike Sherwood and guitarist Jimmy Haun (who by the way had a significant share on the Yes album ‘Union’) became involved with Jon Anderson, Bill Bruford, Rick Wakeman & Steve Howe around the same time.

In 2011, Lodgic was honored and inducted to the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Hall of fame.

Yesterrock with the help of Universal Music Germany now is re-releasing this sought after AOR gem for the first time on CD, remastered from the original tapes.

If you’re a fan of the stylized, smooth, elegant ’80s AOR sound with pristine production in the vein of Toto / Saga / Yoso, you can’t miss this really fine album.

01 – Romance

02 – Step Back

03 – Lonely Man

04 – Red Light

05 – Rise and Fall

06 – Push So Hard

07 – In the Cards

08 – Nomadic Sands

09 – Linda Sue

10 – Bringing Me Back

Billy Sherwood: Vocals, Bass

Mike Sherwood: Vocals, Keyboards

Guy Allison Steiner: Keyboards, Synths, Vocals

Jimmy Haun: Guitars, Vocals

Gary Starnes: Drums

Lenny Castro: Percussion

Produced with David Paich, Tom Knox and Steve Porcaro

Mixed by Tom Fletcher and Tom Knox

Engineered by Tom Fletcher, Tom Knox and Greg Ladanyi

BUY IT !

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