Michael Thompson Band – Future Past

February 5th, 2012 by GRTR! HQ

There’s a name I haven’t heard in a long time – somewhere in the depth
of my vinyl collection lies “How Long” the 1989 album issued by the original
incarnation of the Michael Thompson Band. Frontiers re-issued this album a few
years ago with bonus tracks which subsequently lead to the release of this all
new album.

Michael Thompson
was honoured as “Distinguished Alumni” of the Berklee School of Music back in
2001 to reflect his contribution to the music industry through session work as
a guitarist throughout the 1990’s where he played with the likes of Celine
Dion, Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, Babyface and many others.

For this album he
has returned to the feel of “How Long” with an album of classic period AOR
songs. Joining Michael is Larry King (not the US chat show host!!) from Soleil
Moon, Alan Berliant on bass and Khari Parker on drums. For a connection back to
the 80’s the album revisits “Can’t Miss”, the hit single from “How Long”.

The overall feel
of the album brings to mind that of up tempo Toto mixed with the classic Giant
of “Last of the Runaways” and that is not a bad thing. Production throughout is
superb with the Larry King’s powerful vocals given room to shine alongside the
blistering guitar work from Michael Thompson – even the slower songs such as
“Future Past”, “Break Me Down” and
“Gypsy Rose” feature some cracking guitar solos.

Opener “High
Times” is a full-on rocker and an excellent way to kick off the album. The mixture
of slower numbers together with the more lively numbers soon leads through to
the closing pair of “Can’t Miss 2012” and “Fight For Your Life” which leave you
on a high and thinking maybe one more play…

Highly enjoyable
listen – I’ll have to dig out that vinyl and revisit “How Long” now…

Phil Berisford

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