Category: MR. BIG

Mr. BIG – Lean Into It [30th Anniversary remaster MQA-CD + bonus disc of unreleased] (2021) *HQ*

Asian specialized record label Evolution Music are releasing this magnificent ”Lean Into It 30th Anniversary Edition MQA-CD + bonus disc of unreleased”, Mr. BIG‘s million-selling second effort fully remastered 2021. This is one of the ever-green albums of ’80s style rock that transcends the years, and 2021 is the 30th anniversary of the original release.
And because Mr. Big were/are ‘big in Japan’ the two-CD deluxe edition is on the MQA-CD format. This stands for ‘Master Quality Authenticated’ discs.
And we said ‘discs’ because this deluxe edition has a bonus CD with previously unreleased tracks, early versions, non-album track ‘Strike Like Lighting’ (featured in the film Navy Seals) and tracks with either ‘minus bass’ or ‘minus guitar’ so all you budding musicians out there can play along (cool idea).
The sound quality if this 2021 remastering makes this ”Lean Into It 30th Anniversary Edition MQA-CD + bonus disc of unreleased” the definitive version of this must have album…

ERIC MARTIN BAND – Sucker For A Pretty Face [Rock Candy remastered +5]

The first, major label solo debut of Mr. Big’s terrific vocalist Eric Martin has just been ‘Remastered & Reloaded‘ by Rock Candy Records, featuring 5 bonus tracks. In fact, this “Sucker For A Pretty Face” was the debut of his ERIC MARTIN BAND, originally named ‘415’.
Although the name Eric Martin is synonymous with the platinum selling melodic hard band rock band Mr. Big, there was a time when he was just another struggling singer, one of many trying to get a shot at the big time.
Eric’s calling card was, and still is, a one in a million voice; a golden rasp blessed with a silky smooth delivery that would eventually establish him as a contender for serious chart action.
A must for ’80s US Melodic Rock fans, Eric Martin Band’s “Sucker For A Pretty Face” is plenty of hooky rockers highlighting Eric’s awesome vocals.
The sound quality of this Rock Candy remaster is pretty impressive, featuring 5 bonus tracks including the studio track ‘Stop in the Name of Love’ plus 4 tracks recorded live at the ’83 Hawaii gig, also with a really good sound.

ERIC MARTIN – I’m Only Fooling Myself [Rock Candy remaster]

Here’s another request – and I scratch my head thinking why this great album wasn’t featured here before… ERIC MARTIN‘s second solo album “I’m Only Fooling Myself” recorded before he joined MR. BIG. This is terrific ’80s AOR album including the ‘who’s who’ from the L.A. session musician scene. And this is the first time appeared on CD, remastered by Rock Candy Records specialists.
While production is top notch, I always found the original release a bit flat in terms of sound. This Rock Candy remaster revitalized all levels and brightness. There’s a world of difference between this pristine remaster and the slightly flat sounding original LP / cassette release.
Truly one of the greatest ‘solo artist’ AOR albums of the second half of the ’80s from unquestionably one of the world’s most revered Rock vocalists.

ERIC MARTIN – Over Japan [2xCD Japanese only release]

As requested, here’s the Japan-only release ”Over Japan”, from Mr. Big’s vocalist ERIC MARTIN, recorded over a tour the singer did in Japan as solo artist, including the late Mr. Big Pat Torpey (RIP) into the line-up.
Over the track list Martin revisits songs from his early solo career like ‘Sucker For A Pretty Face’, and Mr. Big classic such as Alive And Kickin’, Ain’t Seen Love Like That, Take Cover, etc.
Many of these songs never were heard this way, and I love it.

ERIC MARTIN – Mr. Rock Vocalist [Japan only release] full

Mr. Big’s vocalist ERIC MARTIN has been recording several albums in Japan during the last twenty years covering hit songs of bands from the land of the rising sun, mostly including pop numbers and even a Christmas CD. But this time Eric (and his label) have chosen to version Rock songs – the style we all want to hear from him...

WORKING CLASS DOGS : A Tribute To Rick Springfield

“WORKING CLASS DOGS : A Tribute To Rick Springfield” celebrates the music of one of melodic rock’s most talented songwriters. Rick hits are performed by the likes of Eric Martin (Mr Big), James Christian (House Of Lords), 7th Heaven, Steve Newman, Mitch Malloy, Gary Schutt (Jeff Scott Soto band), Eric Ragno, Vic Rivera (Ted Poley, Adriangale), Vinny Burns (Dare, Ten,...

PAUL GILBERT (Mr. Big) – Behold Electric Guitar (2019)

Mr. Big’s guitarist PAUL GILBERT is a ground-breaking guitarist, no doubt about it, but also a musician always willing to take risks in favor of his artistic expression. And he did it so, again, ready to release in a few days a new solo album mostly instrumentally based, titled “Behold Electric Guitar”.In a time were just a ‘single’ or an...

THE WINERY DOGS – Unleashed In Japan ; The Second Show 2CD [Japan only release]

Monster trio THE WINERY DOGS released some time ago “Unleashed In Japan : The Second Show“- a DVD / 2CD set featuring their second show ever performed in the Asian country. Recorded at the Nippon Seinen-Kan Hall on July 17, 2013, this awesome concert showcase The Winery Dogs’ beast rock machine in its full potential.As this package only was released in...

V.A. – 0dayrox Advanced Releases June-July 2018 – Vol.1

Let’s go with some really cool advanced singles from albums to come this spring / summer.Norwegian hard rockers TNT have released another new song called “We’re Gonna Make It”. The track is taken from their upcoming studio album, “XIII”, due on June 8 via Frontiers Music. This is a very melodic track inspired by the band’s 80s sound. GIOELI-CASTRONOVO, the...

RICHIE KOTZEN – Telecasters & Stratocasters; Klassic Kotzen [BOX-SET] (2018)

“Telecasters & Stratocasters; Klassic Kotzen” is a new 3-CD Box-Set from renowned guitarist RICHIE KOTZEN including three of his deleted, hard to find solo album plus bonus tracks.The Box-Set is named after his endorsement with Fender guitars, the brand he has used for most of his career, most notably his signature models Telecaster and Stratocaster. Member of many successful bands...

Best Progressive album 2017 : SONS OF APOLLO – Psychotic Symphony [Limited Edition 2CD]

Near the end of the year, it’s time to recap about the best 2017 releases, by category. Wonderful musicianship, great fusion stylings, killer melodies, and the voice of Jeff Scott Soto, SONS OF APOLLO’s Psychotic Symphony is simply awesome. SONS OF APOLLO is the mega super group featuring former Dream Theater members Mike Portnoy and Derek Sherinian alongside Ron “Bumblefoot”...

Best Classic Rock Album 2017, #3 : RONNIE MONTROSE feat. Ricky Phillips & Eric Singer – 10×10 (2017)

Near the end of the year, it’s time to recap about the best 2017 releases, by category.Fortunately, this excellent album was finally released. Before his untimely death in 2012, renowned American rock guitarist RONNIE MONTROSE began recording an ambitious passion project with bassist Ricky Phillips (Styx, Bad English) and drummer Eric Singer (Kiss, Alice Cooper). The idea was to record...

THE WINERY DOGS – Live In Santiago & Beyond [Special Edition + Dog Years EP] (2017)

The great THE WINERY DOGS are releasing today “Dog Years; Live In Santiago & Beyond“, recorded all over the world during 2013-16. This ‘Special Edition’ is a five-disc package consisting of one Blu-Ray disc, one DVD of the live concert material and the eight music videos, two CDs of the live concert audio, and the DOG YEARS EP, a disc...

MR. BIG – Defying Gravity (2017)

MR. BIG – Defying Gravity (2017)

On the 21th of July, supergroup MR. BIG will be releasing their ninth album titled “Defying Gravity” on Frontiers Music. This album features the four original members – Eric Martin (vocals), Paul Gilbert (guitars), Billy Sheehan (bass) and Pat Torpey (drums). They even brought back producer Kevin Elson (who has worked on the band’s most successful albums like ‘Bump Ahead’...

V.A. – 0dayrox Advanced Releases July 2017 – Vol.4

V.A. – 0dayrox Advanced Releases July 2017 – Vol.4

More & more very interesting releases coming up this Summer. Let’s check the more relevant Melodic Rock / AOR advances just appeared.Frontiers Music has put out more advances from their upcoming releases such as MR. BIG‘s third single ‘Mean To Me’ (so far my favorite as it owns that early ’90s melodic rock feel) and a new track from KRYPTONITE,...