HUGO – Hugo (2025 Remastered) HQ *Exclusive*
320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2
Originally released 1997 by legendary Now & Then Records label who saved us melodic rockers during the obscure second half of the Nineties age, singer HUGO Valenti released his debut album, the self-titled “Hugo“. Long time out of print now Escape Music added the album to their catalog and is releasing “Hugo (2025 Remastered)“.
Hugo has had a very good AOR career. He has fronted Valentine and Open Skyz on major label contracts and tours with, among others, Mr. Big, Extreme and Winger. His debut solo album in 1997 is universally considered an AOR classic decades after its release. He still has a small but core following in the U.S., Europe and Japan.
So it’s great to see “Hugo” reissued & remastered.
Simply put, this is ‘the album’ Journey should have released after 1996’s ‘Trial by Fire’, the last with Steve Perry. HUGO Valenti was poised to replace Perry, but no-one knows why Schon & Cain didn’t pick up the talented HUGO for the job. HUGO’s voice sounds like the best Steve Perry. Darn, he even looks like Perry. He moves like Perry on stage.
Co-produced by Gary Hughes (Ten), on this record Hugo is so close to Steve Perry that you can play it for a casual Journey fan, tell them that it is new or ‘lost’, upcoming Journey or Steve Perry solo stuff, and they’d believe you. An impersonator? I don’t think so. HUGO Valenti sung this way since the beginning of his career, and has done music pretty different to Journey all along.
But it’s clear that HUGO loves classic AOR, and “Hugo” delivers. From the harmonized layers of the Oh-Oh’s to that beautiful high note he holds out at the end of the track ‘Standing Alone’, this album is all about elegant melodies.
If you like classic Journey, then you will love this CD. It’s really that simple. Hugo is not a second rate knock-off. He’s just that good. You won’t be disappointed.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Intro (2025 Remastered)
02 – We’ll Find a Way (2025 Remastered)
03 – Walk Away (2025 Remastered)
04 – So Many Tears Ago (2025 Remastered)
05 – Crazy (2025 Remastered)
06 – All That You Wanted (2025 Remastered)
07 – All the People You Love (2025 Remastered)
08 – If You’re Ever Lonely (2025 Remastered)
09 – Desire (2025 Remastered)
10 – Standing Alone (2025 Remastered)
11 – A Tear in L.A. (2025 Remastered)
Vocals – Hugo
Guitar – Vinny Burns
Bass, Piano – Gary Hughes
Drums – Greg Morgan
Keyboards – Ged Rylands
BUY
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0F4R7HM5S/
