THE DARREN PHILLIPS PROJECT – Volume One [CD version +1] (2017) + Rare 2-track CD single (2020) *HQ*

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

THE DARREN PHILLIPS PROJECT is the awesome all-star project with inspiration in the golden age of Melodic Rock. Besides mastermind Darren Phillips (songwriting, guitar, vocals, production) and multi-instrumentalist / producer Daniel Skeed, the ‘who’s who’ from the international Melodic Rock / AOR world are collaborating here on the ”Volume One”, in this physical CD version including an exclusive bonus track.
Take a quick look; Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Khymera) on lead vocals and mastering, Enzo Almanzi (White Widdow), Robbie LaBlanc (Find Me / Blanc Faces), Philip Lindstrand (Find Me / Jim Jidhed), Michael Palace (Palace, Kryptonite), Erik Heinke (Miss Behaviour), Herman Furin (Work Of Art), Dennis Butabi Borg (Cruzh), Robin & Mats Eriksson (Degreed) … and many more put their talent on this album.
If that ain’t enough, Erik Martenssson (Eclipse) and Harry Hess (Harem Scarem) are involved in mastering and mix.
As 0dayrox extra, we added the rare, limited 2-track CD THE DARREN PHILLIPS PROJECT released in limited quantities.

As you can all assume by the musicians that were included in this project, the sound here is moving between classy Melodic Rock, AOR and some edgy Melodic Hard. Yes, you are guessing right, The Darren Phillips Project “Volume One” is an album that can’t be missed by any fan of the melodic scene in general.
Opener “Ready To Fly” is the first highlight. Dennis Ward on lead vocals does an excellent job and the guitar duo of Enzo Almanzi and Heinke is simply breathtaking. “Heartbreaker” is edgier, groovier, with bad-ass attitude and I just love Lindstrand’s vocals here.

With “I Believe” we are dealing with yet another killer melodic rock gem. Man, I just love this one! Robbie LaBlanc (Find Me) vocals are pure gold and the chorus line is heavenly AOR. Darren Phillips has an educated, really warm melodic voice and that’s a thing that can be heard in “Cold Turkey”. This is a beautiful midtempo tune with a retro AOR feel.
The edgier “Defying Gravity” and the groovier “One Shoot” are two more great numbers in a pulsating Melodic Rock fashion which is the heart of this great record.

This digipak version of “Volume One” includes as bonus track the very nice ‘Ready To Fly (acoustic version)’, stripped and still excellent with a more intimate feel.
If you love classy Melodic Rock / AOR you can’t miss THE DARREN PHILLIPS PROJECT debut.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

01 – Ready To Fly
Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Khymera) lead vocals
Jace Pawlak – backing vocals
Dennis Butabi Borg (Cruzh) bass
Enzo Almanzi (White Widdow) rhythm guitar
Erik Heinke (Miss Behaviour) lead guitar
Herman Furin (Work Of Art) drums

02 – Heartbreaker
Philip Lindstrand (Find Me / Jim Jidhed) lead vocals
Dennis Butabi Borg (Cruzh) bass
Herman Furin (Work Of Art) drums
Magnus Midelf – backing vocals
Robbie LaBlanc (Find Me / Blanc Faces) backing vocals
Jace Pawlak – backing vocals

03 – Heart Attack
Enzo Almanzi (White Widdow) guitars
Sisters Doll (lead vocals & full band)
Auzy Foxx, Daniel Skeed, Darren Phillips – backing vocals

04 – I Believe
Robbie LaBlanc (Find Me / Blanc Faces) lead vocals
Philip Lindstrand (Find Me / Jim Jidhed) backing vocals
Daniel Skeed – guitars, bass

05 – Monday
Daniel Skeed – lead & backing vocals, guitar, bass
Michael Palace (Palace, Kryptonite) lead guitar

06 – Cold Turkey
Darren Phillips – lead & backing vocals
Enzo Almanzi (White Widdow) lead guitar
Daniel Skeed – guitars, bass, keyboards

07 – Defying Gravity
Robin Ericsson (Degreed) lead & backing vocals
Enzo Almanzi (White Widdow) lead guitar
Ben Webster (White Widdow) bass
Mats Ericsson (Degreed) drums

08 – Thieves in the Night
Jace Pawlak – lead & backing vocals
Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Khymera) bass
Herman Furin (Work Of Art) drums
Enzo Almanzi (White Widdow) guitar
Daniel Skeed – lead guitars
Darren Phillips – backing vocals

09 – One Shot
Darren Phillips – lead & backing vocals
Daniel Skeed – guitars, bass, synths

10 – Ready To Fly (acoustic version) [CD only bonus track]
Dennis Ward (Pink Cream 69, Khymera) lead vocals
Daniel Skeed – guitars

CDsingle “Best Man For You” (2020):

01 – Best Man For You
02 – Wouldn’t You Like To Know Me?
Featuring Rob Wylde, Dennis Butabi Bors, Patrik Svard, Jon Powers

Out of print