Eric Tagg is one of my all-time favourite blue-eyed fusion vocalists and many will instantly link this man to Lee Ritenour. After all, Lee Ritenour was quick to see Eric for what he was and soon had his vocals plastered all over his “Rit” and “Rit 2” albums for Elektra in 1981 and 1982 respectively. Eric released this particular album only in Japan on Canyon records in 1982, and it has recently been re-issued on CD in Japan too – and a lot cheaper than the silly prices I've see for the original vinyl. Lee Ritenour has overseen this album and fans of Heat and that warm West Coast sound (which crosses over nicely at times with adult AOR too) will find this a real treat as not only is the music soulful and jazzy but Eric's unmistakeable vocals cement this as a mouth-watering album. Strength is audible from the very first song, and musicians such as Don Gruisin, David Foster, John Robinson, Alex Acuna, Nathan East, Tom Scott and Seawind's Jerry Hey ensure that the ingredients are just right. “No One There” cannot be faulted. The lyrics are strong, the keys l and VERY early 80s, and the moog and rhythm guitar bode well for the strong “Promises, Promises”. I have left out the title cut as it's a remake of the same song he recorded on “Rit 2” and for my money that particular version is FAR superior. The floating and gentle “Just Another Dream” gathers real pace and builds into a very warm jazzy slab of soulful fusion. This is just magnificent! Talking of magnificent, do not overlook “Marzipan” - a track that has elements of Stevie Wonder's phrasing and musically the pinnacle of quality West Coast fusion in the early 1980s. Unmissable, and best you snap up a CD copy before it is deleted!
Barry Towler
The Vibe Scribe
