WHITE SKIES – Black Tide (2022) *HQ*

“Black Tide” is the debut album from UK based AOR super-group WHITE SKIES formed by former Samson/First Strike vocalist Mick White, former Ya-Ya guitarist Ray Callcut and former Double Cross/Dante Fox keyboard player Pete Lakin.
Just prior to the start of the pandemic in 2020 Mick and Ray (who were old friends from the 80s) had discussed the idea of writing a pure AOR album very much in the style of the giants of the genre Journey, Foreigner and Toto. As the world entered lockdown the writing process began and it was clear from the first couple of songs that they had a natural songwriting partnership.
Ray suggested bringing in his longtime bandmate Pete as the songs were going to need a gifted keyboard player to really take them to the next level and the nucleus of the band was formed.
The band were very quickly offered a deal by German rock label Pride & Joy Music and will be released on the 4th November 2022… and believe me folks, this is one of the best AOR/Melodic Rock platters of the year…

The writing continued over the course of the next year with the tracks being honed down to twelve songs that the three musicians were satisfied were the best of the best they had written and the recording process continued in their separate home studios while the pandemic continued to grip the world. Finally the mixes were undertaken by Pete to painstaking detail and the album ‘Black Tide’ was completed in the Spring of 2022.

Prior to shooting the video for ‘What Do You Know About Love?’ White Skies added the talents of ex Blood Red Saints bass player Rob Naylor and ex Red White & Blues drummer Daz Lamberton.
With the line up now complete White Skies plan to tour the album extensively throughout 2023.

The modern type of AOR is, as most of you know, more like melodic hard rock these days. Still, the styles are often mixed and give us really interesting albums from time to time. This being said from the perspective of AOR fans.
I got very curious when I read that guitar player Ray Callcut from Ya Ya is in here on this Black Tide album by British act White Skies.

The main part of this album contains quite AOR dominated songs, even though there are a few slightly heavier attempts too. There is in fact a bit of a more rough-edged surface sound-wise, in example on ”Midnight rendez-vous” (no, not the David Roberts song). Or check out ”Takin’ A Ride” with a first half of the ’80s British hard feel
Surprisingly, vocalist Mick White has some L.A. / Hollywood circa 1987 touches in his voice. But do not take this in the wrong way – his singing is great, expressive, so it is not a complaint. And on many songs he brings a clear classic voice, like in the soft AOR song ”Leave A Light On” with some traces from the second Ya Ya album!

The whole band contribute on backing vocals which is a majestic plus, and while as said there’s a couple of more muscular songs, this is mostly classy AOR with a smooth production. We hear great performances from all involved, and essentially, very good songwriting.
You’ll love WHITE SKIES ”Black Tide”, an album with a true, classy AOR feel not so much abundant nowadays.
HIGHLY Recommended

01 – What Do You Know About Love
02 – Emily
03 – Midnight Rendezvous
04 – Kiss Me (As I Say Goodbye)
05 – One Step Forward
06 – Two Worlds Collide
07 – A Love Unjustified
08 – Bring It On Back
09 – Black Tide
10 – Leave A Light On
11 – Takin’ A Ride
12 – Sleeping In The Fire

Mick White (lv)
Ray Callcut (g, bv)
Pete Lakin (k, bv)
Rob Naylor (b, bv)
Daz Lamberton (d, bv)

Pre order:
www.roooar.com/music_uk/cd-white-skies-black-tide-29369.html