JIMMY MARTIN – Wild At Heart (2013)
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If you’re a Melodic Rock / AOR aficionado surely got in your collection at least one of the very good albums released by JIMMY MARTIN during the nineties.
Martin remained active in the music business producing, collaborating with others and releasing occasional own singles, and now after so many years is presenting a new full length CD; “Wild At Heart”.
Born in Luxembourg but somehow a cosmopolitan artist, a young Jimmy Martin became the singer and main songwriter for France’s hot hard rock export Fisc. Then he started a solo career with ‘The Rhythm Of Life’, recorded in Europe but finding success in Canada.
Later Martin moved to the US to mix his second effort ‘Kids Of The Rockin’ Nation’ in Los Angeles, a great collection of songs including highly respected session musicians as a back-up band. One of the best tracks, the single ‘Driving Through The Pouring Rain’ was written by Desmond Child.
During the last decade Martin established himself in Germany, achieving a number 1 hit in local charts and writing & producing for others.
“Wild At Heart” marks his return in full force featuring his trademark penchant for infectious melodies combining traditional Melodic Rock choruses and melodies with some modern rock&pop elements.
Amongst the catchy, quite Swedish-sounding melodic rockers we have opener “Live Your Dream”, the hot and almost hard rock “Born To Run”, the anthemic “Different” and the cool cover of The Knack’s classic “My Sharona”.
Some of the songs are pretty Rick Springfield influenced, so it is not strange to hear Springfield itself colaborating in the version of his hit “Love Somebody”. Great one.
In this style we find as well the soaring “Life Without Love” (lots of keyboards), the commercial “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore” and the ’80s sounding “Love Is the Answer”, all with an AORish feel especially on the complete harmony vocals.
There’s a couple of solid ballads in the slightly cheesy “When Your Smile Fades Away” and the strong “I Wish You Here Tonight” where Martin duets with no-other than Robin Beck.
“Wild At Heart” is a very good modern melodic rock / rock&pop album with some AOR touches, solid songwriting and performances. Springfield and Beck does not collaborate with ‘any’ cat out there, so this gives to you a hint of the quality on offer here.
Add to this the co-production of AOR legend Clif Magness (together with Jimmy and Germany’s top producer Tommy Remm) and the technical aspect is guaranteed.
Easily Recommended.
01 – Live Your Dream
02 – Break Free
03 – Love Don’t Live Here Anymore
04 – I Wish You Here Tonight (duet with Robin Beck)
05 – Born to Run
06 – Love Somebody (feat. Rick Springfield)
07 – Different
08 – Love Is The Answer
09 – When Your Smile Fades Away
10 – Life Without Love
11 – My Sharona
BUY IT !
www.cdbaby.com/cd/jimmymartin1
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