CULVER KINGZ – This Time (2016)

The Michael Thompson Band released one of the finest an more elegant AOR frim the late ’80s. Now 2016 Michael Thompson is back with his new project CULVER KINGZ, and the debut album titled “This Time“, to be released tomorrow June 24.

Michael Thompson plays all instruments, an the vocals are at charge of talented Billy Trudel with working credits ranging from Elton John and Billy Joel to Bryan Adams and Bon Jovi.
In 1983, Michael Thompson and Billy Trudel were introduced to each other. They were brought together by manager Steve Brooks and producer Wyn Davis to form a new band called Slang. They worked hard in the studio and out playing shows to get this new project noticed but nothing seemed to work in their favor.
After 2 years of struggling, they started to adventure into other projects. In 1985 Billy signed his first recording contract with The City, a band on Chrysalis Records and Michael was playing guitar with Andy Fraser (Free), when manager Alan Neven (Guns N’ Roses) heard the project.

He took it to Geffen Records and the band was signed. But there was a problem, Billy couldn’t sign the contract because of his prior obligations to The City. So Michael had to find another vocalist to record the album.
That’s when he found Moon Calhoun to take Billy’s place. They changed the name to the Michael Thompson Band and released the celebrated MTB record. Since that time both Michael and Billy became well established in they music carriers, backing up some of the biggest artist in the music industry.

Then in 2011, both re-connected and decided to finish that record they always wanted to make. That was the birth of the Culver Kingz.
The band name came from both of them living in Culver City and writing and recording everything in Michael’s studio. Now all these years later they are thrilled to come back full circle and do what they do best, make music.

Well, Culver Kingz debut “This Time” is a quite eclectic piece of art, blending many styles with ease and resulting a fascinating album. If you are expecting the smooth AOR sound of Michael Thompson Band in the ’80s, this is not the case here. Well at least not with that suave style.
Thompson & Trudel go here for a mix of Classic Rock, Blues, Pop, West Coast, and yes, AOR, but in a more ‘organic feel’ than the typical over-produced vein.
You are in for a treat with this album, but believe me, after a couple of listens you’ll love it.
High Quality stuff – Strongly Recommended

01 – Chains Get Broken
02 – Dirty Secret
03 – Better Days
04 – Eyes of Barbados
05 – Wan Chai Girl
06 – R & B Love Song
07 – This Time
08 – Don’t Take This Love
09 – Forever
10 – Coming Home Soon
11 – You’re Not Alone

Michael Thompson: All instruments
Billy Trudel: Lead vocals and backing vocals

PRE ORDER:
www.amazon.de/This-Time-Culver-Kingz/dp/B01DUGQQUS
.