THE THIRD MASTEDON MASTERPIECE:
Frontiers Records is pleased to announce the European release of the brand new Mastedon album 3 on November 6.
Mastedon is the Hard Rock band put together by ex-Kansas singer John Elefante, together with his brother Dino in the late 80’s. The band’s name was a pachyderm-inspired reference to the brothers’ last name.
Although John was an accomplished vocalist and performer, the first two Mastedon albums featured multiple lead singers and performances by other artists, creating an eclectic sound anchored by John’s songwriting. His brother Dino played a prominent role, contributing songwriting and handling most of the guitar work. Some of the collaborators in the band’s first two albums were Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon), Stef Burns (Y&T), bassists John Pierce (Richard Marx) and John Patitucci plus guest vocalists David Pack (Ambrosia), David Robbins (X-Sinner), Tom Bowes (Tower of Power), James Dean Longacre
(Life9) and Perry Lee (Tracer Fox).
In 1996 John Elefante started a solo career that brought him to release three successful albums more in the Adult Contemporary – Pop Rock vein. After a few years of hiatus, John decided to go back to his roots sound with a brand new Mastedon album that – contrary to the predecessors – would only feature his amazing lead vocals. Musically, the new album, simply entitled “3” harkens back to the best of Mastedon and to his work with Kansas. None other than main Kansas songwriter Kerry Livgren appears on lead guitar on this new release, collaborating on a 11 minute piece of music that any Kansas fan will surely love! More famed musicians and such as Dave Amato (REO Speedwagon), Anthony Sallee (Whiteheart), Dan Needham (Michael McDonald, Neville Brothers, Amy Grant, Garth Brooks etc) and of course John’s brother Dino Elefante contribute to the performance of this superb new release.
Rich melodic harmonies and melodies are the keys to a Mastedon record and “3” is clearly an instant winner in all its moments and will remain as an hallmark in John Elefante’s career for many years to come.
Final track listing of “3” includes: Revolution of Mind; Slay Your Demons; Nowhere Without Your Love; One Day Down By The Lake (See You Real Soon); Water Into Wine (Fassa Rokka), Questions (It’s About Time); You Can’t Take Anything; Lying; The Western World; That’s What You Do; Dust In the Wind (exclusive bonus track).
As a companion to this new release, Frontiers managed to acquire the rights for the re-release of Mastedon’s legendary debut album “It’s a Jungle Out There!”. Released originally in 1989, it charted at #25 in the Billboard Top Contemporary Christian chart. To this day, this album is still considered classics in the genre and has reached some amazing prices in the trades on E-bay. Frontiers new reissue includes full lyrics and three bonus tracks “Wasn’t It Love” (from the compilation “California Metal”) and live versions of “Islands In The Sky” and “Right Hand” recorded live at Cornerstone in 1991.
Full track listing: It’s A Jungle Out There; Glory Bound; This Is The Day; Love Inhalation; Islands In The Sky; Get Up; Love That Will Survive; Innocent Girl; Shine On; Right Hand; Wasn’t It Love *; Islands In The Sky (Live at Cornerstone ’91)*; Right Hand (Live at Cornerstone ’91)* * Bonus tracks
WebLinks: www.frontiers.it / www.myspace.com/frontiersrecords / www.johnelefante.com / www.myspace.com/johnelefante.
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