LAURENCE ARCHER – ”L.A.” + ”L.A. Secrets +2” (Archer / Scallan) [Japanese 2-CD release] (2025) *HQ*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

In the mid-80s LAURENCE ARCHER (UFO, STAMPEDE, Phil Lynott’s GRAND SLAM) began the recording of a solo album. Dedicated to the memory of Phil Lynott who passed away just a few months ago, LAURENCE ARCHER’s solo album titled “L.A.” was released in 1986.
In the ’80s Laurence Archer was one of the most respected hard rock guitarists in UK, having the chance as well to release a solo album. Including a bunch of mid-Eighties AOR / melodic rock oriented songs, “L.A.” only was released in Japan in limited quantities, becoming a much sought after collectible.

On “L.A.” Archer performed the lead vocals, but essentially being a guitarist, he wanted a more trained, smooth singer to re-record these songs and shop a record deal in Europe / America. Scottish singer Peter Scallan (MORITZ, SAMSON) joined Archer for that matter, and he put his voice to that initial Archer songs like ‘Can’t Get Away’, ‘Two Hearts’, ‘When We Were Young’, ‘Claudiette’, plus a generous dose of classic ’80s keyboards / synths were added to the mix. Additionally, newly composed songs were taped, such as ‘One Way Love’ and the awesome ‘Don’t Leave Me Lonely’.

Now Rubicon Records Japan is reissuing “L.A.” in remastered form and with a bonus disc including the ARCHER / SCALLAN recordings. The latter were released some time ago as part of the great “Lost UK Jewels Collectors Series”, but here we find 2 extra tracks, previously unreleased.
This is harmony-gold classy UK ’80s AOR next to STRANGEWAYS, FM, AIRRACE, etc, filled with superb melodies, slick guitar work, lovely keyboards and smooth vocals.
HIGHLY Recommended

Ｒ Ｕ Ｂ Ｉ Ｃ Ｏ Ｎ   Ｍ Ｕ Ｓ Ｉ Ｃ  Ｊ Ａ ＰＡ Ｎ
RBNCD～1433

CD 1: L.A. (1986)
01 – Can’t Get Away
02 – Hard Fight
03 – One Time
04 – Hiding Away
05 – Two Hearts
06 – When You Were Young
07 – Claudette
08 – Surrender
09 – Shades of Blue

Lead Vocals, All Guitar – Laurence Archer
Bass, Backing Vocals – Gary Leidaman
Drums – Zak Starkey
Keyboards – Mark Stanway

CD 2: Archer / Scallan “L.A. Secrets” +2 Bonus

01 – Gone Are The Days
02 – Can’t Get Away
03 – Shake Me Up
04 – Claudiette
05 – Discretion
06 – One Time
07 – Two Hearts
08 – When We Were Young
09 – Don’t Leave Me Lonely
10 – One Way Love
11 – Rage (bonus)
12 – March In Winter (bonus)

Laurence Archer – guitar, vocals
Peter Scallan – lead vocals
Gary Leidaman – bass
Clive Edwards – drums

BUY
www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/RBNCD-1433