Artist: 101 South 
   Title: No U-Turn
   Label: AOR Heaven

Born out of Harlan Cage in 1999 by keyboardist Roger Scott Craig, 101 South saw the best of the L.A. Session scene coming together for this project, amongst them being vocalist Gregory Lynn Hall, guitarist Mike Turner, bassist Chris Julian and drummer Hans Geiger.

Now in 2009 101 South return with this new album 'No U-Turn'.  Only this time Scott Craig and Lynn Hall return with another band of musicians namely Chris Thompson - vocals on 'Blue Skies', Billy Liesegang, Ian Bairnson and David Pasillas on guitars, Jimmy Turner on bass, and Hans Geiger on drums.  Add to this Alan Kroll (aka 'The Sax Therapist') who does the sax solo on 'Blue Skies'.

The album is pure AOR from beginning to end, a plethora of gentler rock songs that take you back to the late 80’s when the likes of Journey, Foreigner and Reo Speedwagon where riding high on the airwaves with this style of rock.

From the opener ’When You're In Love’ it’s the vocals of Gregory Lynn Hall that really make their mark on the listener, as he comes across as a mix between Lou Gramm and Paul Young.  A blend that gives the album melody as well a great helping of soulful.

All in the Game is pure Foreigner from the guitars to the rhythm section while Lynn Hall add that Gramm style vocal as the icing on the cake.

The album continues its gentle melodic path with the harmony filled ‘Lonely Heart’ and the very special ‘What Are You Gonna Do Anyway’.  That will keep those AOR fans into Journey fans happy, it has the vibe about it big arena AOR rock.

The whole album is as radio friendly as they come, there isn’t a track that would do great on Radio 2 as it continues with ‘End Of The Game’, the majestic ‘From What You Know Now’, but it’s the likes of ‘Take Me Home’ and the fabulous ‘Blue Skies’ with Chris Thompson on vocals, that are the songs that stand out from the pack as true class.

This album isn’t gonna move them in the rock clubs around the world but on a cold winters night snuggled up to the one you love and having this one playing in the background, that's where this one belongs.

Tracklisting:

01. When You're In Love
02. All In The Game
03. Lonely Heart
04. What Are You Gonna Do Anyway
05. End Of The Game
06. From What You Know Now
07. Yesterday Is Gone
08. Take Me Home
09. Don't Tell Me It's Over
10. Blue Skies

                  

 

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