DAKOTA - Dakota [Rock Candy remaster + bonus] (2012)

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DAKOTA is one of the best representatives of the pure '80s AOR sound.
Formed by vocalists / guitarists Jerry Hludzik and Bill Kelly, Dakota had their roots in the late '70s as ex members of The Buoys and Jerry/Kelly Band, before signing to Columbia / CBS in 1980.

That same year, they released their self-titled album which yielded a regional hit across the country called "If It Takes All Night" (regional hit means that some radio stations played it, and most didn't).
Thanks to this moderated success and manager contacts, Dakota later snagged the opening slot on part of Queen’s U.S. tour, which included three sold-out shows at Madison Square Garden.

Dakota's self-titled debut sports a sumptuous AOR coat blending pomp rock, West Coast and classic AOR, with hints of Le Roux, Toto, Trillion and Styx.
Opener and later single "If It Takes All Night" launched Dakota's career combining guitar superb melodies, breezy vintage keyboards and an anthemic, fantastic chorus. The verses are pure midtempo magic but in the chorus the song explodes with tons of harmony vocals.
"Crazy For Your Love" is a much calmer smooth AOR in the vein of Le Roux, with a West Coast approach and a big groove.

"Possession" rocks with a sustained riff and synth arrangements, while follower "You Can't Live Without It" is a dreamy ballad with classic pianos
"One Step" returns to the rockier territory, with an early '80s trademark sound including staccato keyboards and a great chorus.
"Restless" starts slowly but soon evolves into a hooky rocker with irresistible harmonic vocals and an outstanding melodic line.
"Crazy Love" has a radio friendly sound, while "It Gets Easier" includes lovely vocal cascades and a feel-good vibe.


This Rock Candy re-issue at 24-bit remastering from original source tapes is just awesome. Not only the sound is terrific, it includes two very good Bonus tracks as well.
"The Higher You Rise" is a awesome early eighties AOR tune with synths and layers of vocals, and "Give Love Another Try" has a magical melodic rock refrain, great guitars and swirling keys.
"Dakota" is a truly superlative slice of period perfect AOR.
Mandatory purchase.


01 - If It Takes All Night
02 - Crazy for Your Love
03 - Possession
04 - You Can't Live Without It
05 - One Step
06 - Lady
07 - Restless
08 - Crazy Love
09 - It Gets Easier
10 - The Higher You Rise [Bonus]
11 - Give Love Another Try [Bonus]


Bill Kelly - vocals, guitars
Jerry Hludzik - vocals, guitars
Louie Cossa - keyboards
Jeff Mitchell - keyboards, background vocals
Bill McHale - bass, background vocals
John Robinson - drums
Jon Lorance - guitar
Rick Manwiller - keyboards, vocals [Bonus]
Tony Romano - drums [Bonus]






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DAKOTA - Runaway [Rock Candy remaster + bonus] (2012)

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Formed by vocalists / guitarists Jerry Hludzik and Bill Kelly, DAKOTA had their roots in the '70s as ex members of The Buoys and Jerry/Kelly Band, before signing to Columbia and releasing their eponymous debut in 1980.

In 1984 Dakota released their 2nd album, now regarded as one of the high points of the '80s AOR genre.
Titled "Runaway", recorded in Los Angeles and produced by Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine, the album contains nine of the most celebrated AOR / Melodic Rock tracks ever recorded.
It is the songwriting of Hludzik and Kelly that makes an immediate impact; laced with copious melody, huge hooks and musical support from a long list of the best L.A. session players. You will recognize some of the players that were involved in this album such as Paul Jackson JR, Steve Porcaro, Richie Zito, Neil Steubenhaus and Bill Champlin to name few.
The sound is a fine blend of Pomp rock, catchy Melodic Rock and sumptuous AOR, with touches of Trillion, Styx, Peter Frampton and Toto. Superb melodies with stylized layered harmonies, twin guitars balanced with two keyboard players, and solid bass and drums that provide a dynamic rhythm.

The album opens up with the classic AOR tune "Runaway". This is a perfect AOR-song that has everything from big hooklines, fluffy keyboards and harmony vocals. Pure ecstasy.
"Heroes" is a lovely mid-tempo song with great piano/keyboards in the background through the whole song. In some moments it sounds very much like Meat Loaf going AOR.
"Into The Night" goes in the same style as "Runaway". The sound is huge and filled with awesome hookylines ala Survivor. Bill Kelly sings like a God on this one and the background vocals are fantastic.
"Angry Men" starts off slow with Bill sounding like Dave Brickle but turns out to a rocker in the chorus. The whole song smells Survivor for a long way and I'm sure that Peterik and Sullivan would have loved to have this song on the 'Vital Signs' album.
The guitar / keyboard interplay stands out on "When The Rebel Comes Home". "Love Won't Easy" is another big, monster AOR song, and "If Only I'd Known It" is more of a ballad, with a good melodic guitar solo.


This Rock Candy re-issue at 24-bit remastering from original source tapes is just awesome. Not only the sound is terrific, it includes two very good Bonus tracks as well.
"Believin`" is a straight ahead AOR-rocker with lovely keyboards and a killer chorus with great background vocals. "More Love" sounds kinda like a Franke & The Knockouts tune, very '80s radio friendly.
This CD is an AOR masterpiece that should be included in every AOR collection.
Mandatory purchase.

You've seen it first here, at zerodayrock


01 - Runaway
02 - Tonight Could Last Forever
03 - Heroes
04 - When The Rebel Comes Home
05 - Love Won't Easy
06 - Into The Night
07 - Angry Men
08 - If Only I'd Known It
09 - Over And Over
10 - Believin' (Bonus Track)
11 - More Love (Bonus Track)


Jerry Hludzik: vocals, guitars
Bill Kelly: vocals, guitars, keyboards
Rick Manwiller: piano, keyboards
Neil Stubenhaus, Bill McHale: bass
Danny Seraphine: drums
Steve Porcaro, Chris Pinnick, Richie Zito: add. guitars
Paul Jackson Jr.: add. guitars & bass
Jeff Mitchell: electric piano on track 11
Tony Romano: drums on track 11
Bill Champlin: backing vocals




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DAKOTA - Looking Back [2 CD] (2011)

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DAKOTA is one of the seminal United States AOR bands.
Founded in 1980 by Bill Kelly and Jerry Hludzik from the ashes of 'The Jerry-Kelly Band', they have recorded excellent albums, the band's 2nd 'Runaway' (1984) still is one of my all-time favorites in the genre.

Dakota's blend of Classy AOR and refined Westcoast touches is filled with big hooklines, fluffy keyboards and harmony vocals to die for.
"Looking Back" is a perfect 2CD compendium of their entire discography, including all the classic tunes out of the albums 'Dakota' (1980), 'Runaway' (1984), 'Mr. Lucky/Lost Tracks' (1996), 'Last Standing Man' (1997), 'Little Victories' (2001) and 'Deep 6' (2004).

The band experienced many line-up changes, besides, high class session musicians were part of their studio recordings, such as Richie Zito (Bad English, Heart), Paul Jackson (Pages, David Foster), bassist Neil Stubenhaus (Robin Beck, Steve Lukather), Chicago singer Bill Champlin, Toto keyboardist Steve Porcaro and many more.


Simply; if you like Classic, pure AOR of the best lineage, "Looking Back" is a Must Have.
Essential.


CD 1
01 - Runaway
02 - Crazy For Your Love
03 - Brothers In Arms
04 - Last Standing Man
05 - Mr. Lucky
06 - Prelude To Victories
07 - Little Victories
08 - Holdin' Your Own
09 - Brother To Brother
10 - Hot Nights
11 - When The Rebel Comes Home
12 - You Can't Live Without It
13 - Over In A Minute
14 - What Were You Thinkin'
15 - The Deep
16 - Don't Count Me Out

CD 2
01 - If It Takes All Night
02 - Mama Teach
03 - Angry Men
04 - Next In Line
05 - Right This Minute
06 - Only Game In Town
07 - Not So Much In Love
08 - Back To Me
09 - Into The Night
10 - Heroes
11 - Run With The Wind
12 - Hearts On Fire
13 - Somebody's Hero
14 - Wish
15 - Go Easy On My Heart


Jerry G. Hludzik - vocals, guitars
Bill Kelly - vocals, guitars
Rick Manwiller - keyboards, programming, backing vocals
Louie Cossa, Jeff Mitchell - keyboards
Bill McHale, Neil Stubenhaus, Bill McHale - bass
John Robinson, Danny Seraphine, Eli M.Hludzik - drums
Jon Lorance, Eric Kudy, Nat Gardner - guitar

Bill Champlin - backing vocals
Steve Porcaro - additional guitars
Chris Pinnick - additional guitars
Richie Zito - additional guitars
Paul Jackson Jr. - additional guitars
David Hawk Wolinski - additional guitars
Jeff Mitchell - electric piano
Tony Romano - drums
and more








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www.nehrecords.com/SHOP/DakotaLooking.htm

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