BLACKJACK – Worlds Apart [Japan Remaster LTD mini LP SHM-CD]

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Before joining Kiss, skilled guitarist Bruce Kulick was part of BLACKJACK, alongside another talented cat under the name of Michael Bolotin.
Bolotin later become famous as solo artist as Michael Bolton, which first two albums are must haves for AOR fans.
BLACKJACK released two albums, the self-titled debut and this “Worlds Apart”, both being reissued in Japan on a Limited Edition, freshly remastered via 96KHZ/24BIT process and pressed on the superior SHM-CD.

This short-lived but excellent New York outfit had a moderate success at the time, rediscovered years after when Bolton & Kulick become worldwide known. And this “Worlds Apart” truly deserved a remastered reissue because it’s a really solid album, with great proto-AOR songs and some fine Melodic Rock melodies all over.
Produced by English Eddy Offord (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Yes) with a polished but strong sound, we can hear the awesome pipes of Michael Bolton when he used to Rock…

“My World Is Empty Without You” starts with some pomp keyboards and rocks with a slightly progressive instrumental development, followed by the catchy semi-midtempo “Love Is Hard To Find”, one of the highlights.
“Stay” is a nice ballad with a little early Journey influence, but the pace gets high again with the AOR keyboards / guitar riffs of “Aiwaves” in the vein of Balance or The Babys. Great solo by Kulick on the latter.

An elegant Foreigner like mid-tempo AOR arrives with “Maybe It’s The Power Of Love” showing Bolton’s versatility, “Welcome To The World” rocks with lively spark, and “Breakaway” adds a touch of bluesy melodies to its melodic rock skeleton.

“Really Wanna Know” is another highlight, a shining melodic rock tune rich in harmonies, a moving chorus and keyboard stabs. Ending the disc we find two solid numbers on the melodic “Sooner Or Later” with some Charlie and early Loverboy on it, while “She Wants You Back” is quite commercial with an America touch (not strange as Eddy Offord produced that band as well).

As said, BlackJack’s albums deserved a proper reissue / sonic treatment, and this Japanese remaster really does justice to its quality. Everything sounds pristine and the edition (limited, so be fast) comes in a luxury LP Paper Sleeve Replica reproducing the original vinyl album artwork entirely.
Very Recommended.

01 – My World Is Empty Without You
02 – Love Is Hard To Find
03 – Stay
04 – Airwaves
05 – Maybe Its The Power Of Love
06 – Welcome To The World
07 – Breakaway
08 – Really Wanna Know
09 – Sooner Or Later
10 – She Wants You Back

Michael Bolotin (lead vocals)
Bruce Kulick (guitars)
Jimmy Haslip (bass)
Sandy Gennaro (drums)
David Sancious (keyboards)
Eric Troyer (backing vocals)

BUY IT !
www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00FW67GTK
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/UICY-75999
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