NEW FRONTIER: New Frontier LP 1988 Ex- Gamma members. Richie Zito produced A.O.R. Check video

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NEW FRONTIER:  New Frontier (Mika 422 835 695-1 LP)1988

only the first song of side A has two scratch marks. The rest of the album looks in mint condition.

Under Fire by New Frontier

Artist: New Frontier.Title: New Frontier.
Label: Mika Records; Stereo, 12″ 33 1/3 rpm LP # 835 695-1.
Date: 1988.
Personnel
Monty Byrom vocals, guitar
Glenn Letsch bass
David Neuhauser keyboards
Marc Nelson drums
Tommy Funderburk backing vocals
Arthur Barrow additional keyboards
Kim Bullard additional keyboards
Produced by Richie Zito.
Tracks
1.   Under Fire
2.   American Dream
3.   Love Is Stronger Than The Heart
4.   Change For The Better
5.   Standing In My Tears
6.   Lonesome Blues
7.   I Think About You written by: Michael Bolton, Martin Briley
8.   Motel Rain
9.   Burning The Page
10.   Riverboat Man

Category: AOR

Year: 1988

Formed by renowned musicians from the American music industry, NEW FRONTIER cut this one and only, self-titled album in 1988. Despite of being released by a small record label, “New Frontier” smell ‘major production’ from every corner. There’s the great Richie Zito at the producer’s chair, also playing additional guitar and keyboards.

Frontman in New Frontier is no other Monty Byrom from AORsters Billy Satellite, on bass Glenn Letsch (Montrose, Gamma, Jonathan Cain Band), keyboardist David Neuhauser (Lance, Eddie Money), and you have contribution from the likes of John Keane, Martin Page, Tommy Funderburk, Timothy B. Schmit, and more.
Impressive cast, and some impressive songs as well.

These musicians have played on countless albums and bands, and varied, different styles. So it’s not surprising to find divers tunes on “New Frontier”. Overall, the first half (Side A) is melodic rock / AOR / radio friendly with sound ranging from John Waite to Nelson. Then Side B is bluesier, bringing to mind .38 Special more AORish moments.
The song ‘I Think About You’, written by Michael Bolton & Martin Briley in the early ’80s, feels like a Eddie Money song from the era.

With all members busy into several projects / session work / songwriting for other artists id the industry, New Frontier resulted short lived, but leave this easy to ears, melodic album with that ’80s imprint all over.

01 – Under Fire
02 – American Dream
03 – Love Is Stronger Than The Heart
04 – Change For The Better
05 – Standing In My Tears
06 – Lonesome Blues
07 – I Think About You
08 – Motel Rain
09 – Burning The Page
10 – Riverboat Man

Monty Byrom: Lead Vocals, Guitars
David Neuhauser: Piano, Hammond B-3, Synths, Vocals
Glenn Letsch: Bass, Vocals
Marc Nelson: Drums
with:
Richie Zito: Additional Guitars, Keyboards
Paulinho Da Costa: Percussion
John Keane: Drums
Larry Williams: Sax on 7
Martin Page: Keyboards, Backing Vocals
Tommy Funderburk, Joe Pizzulo, Timothy B. Schmit, Maxine & Julia Tillman Waters: Backing Vocals

How do they say: “All good things come in threes”, because with the herein featured New Frontier disc, I count three versions of I Think About You in my collection by now (the other two are a demo song sung by co-writer Michael Bolton himself, and an official release by the band Dalton); even though the New Frontier interpretation offers the most different approach to the song, which nonetheless sounds surprisingly good.

But how can you go wrong anyways with so many veterans of the genre, all of them responsible for a record like the more than pleasant New Frontiers debut from 1988? No way! 🙂


Good AOR record. Look at names involved, and you know you can’t go wrong ! Check it out ! It worth it !
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This band reminds alot of 38 Special to me,they mix southern rock and AOR in a great way.””Under fire””, “”Love Is Stronger Than The Heart”” and “”I Think About You”” are all really good AOR.
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Easy on the ear, and a nice middle ground between Byrom earlier work, and where he would eventually take his musical direction. In ways there bits of Nelson, Restless Heart, and of course the inevitable comparison to Billy Satellite.
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Under Fire is a nice tune. I think this music is pretty cool ! Easy listening. My first thought was that this reminds me of Huey Lewis.
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rare that no one mentions to John Waite as a direct influence here. The voice is John Waite alike a 100% 4 sure…Monty Byron (lead vocalist/guitar player and former Billy Satellite) put this outfit together in the late 80 and only recorded this one..the songs could appeal to any fan of Glenn Frey,Don Henley,Jimmy Ryser and 38 Special just 2 mention some artists…the best tracks for me were “”Under Fire””,””American Dream””,””Love Is Stronger Than The Heart””,””Change For The Better”” and “”Think About You””…solid numbers and a good album.88/100
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For mainman Monty Byrom, this is life after his stint with Billy Satellite. The band contained a few other San Fransisco members including Gamma bassist Glenn Letsch. New Frontier is definitely standing at the corridor of melodic rock and AOR, with lots of infectious songs, with Monty typical trademark guitar and impassioned vocals, while Neuhauser provides the polish. The mostly Richie Zito production guarantees this album at least some respectability on that side of things, while Phil Kaffel produces three of the tracks. Overall the sound is smooth, but slightly rough-house in an AOR sort of way (I hope that makes sense to some of you). A bit like 38 Special when you compare them with some of their southern counterparts. I love all their songs. Easy on the ear, and a nice middle ground between Byrom earlier work, and where he would eventually take his musical direction. In ways there bits of Nelson, Restless Heart, and of course the inevitable comparison to Billy Satellite. The opening trio of ‘Under Fire’, ‘American Dream’ and the country rock of ‘Love Is Stronger Than The Heart’ all echo these comparisons. ‘Change For The Better’ has a guitar strut which former B.S band mate Danny Chauncey could easily slide into, and he could do likewise on the sassy ‘Lonesome Blues’. ‘I Think About You’ is a Michael Bolton and Martin Briley co-written song which is followed by ‘Motel Rain’ a contender for one of those steamy MTV video I reckon. ‘Burning The Page’ is a great AOR tune which probably could benefit from a heavier mix, while the blues returns on the album closer ‘Riverboat Man’, a traditional workout in true delta fashion! It was a pity then that New Frontier didn’t hang around for long. Unfortunately Byrom and Neuhauser headed off to greener pastures in Nashville where they formed the successful country rock act Big House. Meanwhile Letsch hooked up with Gamma singer Davey Pattison and joined forces in Robin Trower band.

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Weight 0.25 kg

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