GAIA (Heeren / Stevens) – Truth And Illusion (1996)

To complete the very interesting and good work of songwriter / musician Paul Heeren after featuring at 0dayrox his previously unreleased ’80s recordings, here’s “Truth And Illusion“, the album he released in 1996 under the banner GAIA.
GAIA was the natural evolution of Paul’s previous partnership with female singer Jan Parker / Stevens in the early ’90s duo Heeren / Stevens which managed to put some of their songs in the ‘Highlander II’ movie soundtrack.
Heeren & Stevens formed GAIA soon after, and musically follow the Heeren / Stevens style and sound; polished AOR / melodic rock with smooth vocals, melodious guitars and pristine production. While it wasn’t the best era for this type of rock music, “Truth And Illusion” (released by an Austrian-German label) sold well in Europe and Japan.

GAIA even released a couple of singles from the album; the ’90s Heart / Ann Wilson-like ‘Moment of Truth’ and the rocking ‘Wonderland’, two of the strongest tracks.
Other cool ’80s flavored numbers include the power ballad ‘Contract of Hearts’ (a duet with Paul, a song which sounds a lot like Meat Loaf), the dramatic ‘Last Dying Breath’, the atmospheric ‘Beloved’, and the smooth midtempo ‘Clear Blue Light’ where Jan husky way of singing shine.

Unknown by many, “Truth And Illusion” is a very strong AOR / poppy melodic rock from GAIA, or Heeren / Stevens ‘part 2’. A ’90s recorded album but with a clear ’80s scent.
Highly Recommended

01 – Wonderland
02 – Beloved
03 – Clear Blue Light
04 – Gun
05 – Contact of Hearts
06 – Witness
07 – Last Dying Breath
08 – Last Dying Breath Reprise
09 – Trust
10 – Moment of Truth
11 – Man Woman
12 – Mountain
13 – Sands of Africa
14 – Heart of Man
15 – Heartland

Jan Parker / Stevens – Vocals
Paul Heeren – Guitar, Keyboards, Vocals
Terry Porter – Bass
Carl Holt – Bass
Steve Alexander – Drums
Jamie Lane – Drums

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