ILLUSION – Illusion (1985) [0dayrox vinyl-rip]

320_1 /// 320_2

Some months ago we featured the sophomore and final album by American melodic hard rockers ILLUSION, 1986’s “I Like It Loud”. Now, as requested, here’s their self-titled debut album “Illusion” from 1985.
Despite being released by major label Geffen / Warner, it’s a shame that none of the two albums never have been reissued on CD, nor available digitally (seems there’s a version on iTunes after all, but sound quality is dreadful).
This is a vinyl-rip done by a 0dayrox team member more than two decades ago. Unfortunately at the time storage space mattered, and he didn’t saved a lossless copy. Anyway, this is a very fine rip!

ILLUSION played a driving radio-friendly brand of American melodic hard rock rich in quality riffs and catchy hooks. This first effort ”Illusion” is more hard rock oriented than the band’s second album. Think early Night Ranger, Wrabit, perhaps a bit of Heavy Pettin’.
Produced by expert Jeff Glixman (Black Sabbath, Kansas, Saraya) the guitars of James Gary Moore aka ”Moses Mo” bite here, and the female vocals of Jay Willard are edgy n’ wild. It must said that guitarist ”Moses Mo”, bass player Paul McCoy and drummer B.B. Queen were all members of MOTHER’S FINEST, so expect terrific musicianship here.
Humble Pie’s hero Steve Marriot co-writes and sings on ‘Weights A Ton’, while other numbers such as ‘Squeeze Me’ (a favorite), ‘Get It To Go’, the midtempo ‘You Got The Touch’, the stinging ‘Saint’, are all strong songs – all rockers, no place for ballads here.
Highly Recommended

A1 Get It To Go
A2 Bad News
A3 Squeeze Me
A4 Weights A Ton (Vocals – Steve Marriot)
A5 You Got The Touch
B1 Next To You
B2 Saint
B3 Call In The Law
B4 Won’t You
B5 Go On Your Own Way

Lead Vocals, Guitar – Jay Willard
Guitar, Backing Vocals – Moses (Mother’s Finest)
Keyboards, Backing Vocals – Tom Reed
Bass, Backing Vocals – Paul McCoy (Mother’s Finest)
Drums – B.B. Queen (Mother’s Finest)

Out of print