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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
FINALLY!,
By
This review is from: Bossa Nova Hotel (Audio CD)
Wounded Bird does it again - digs up a classic, remasters it and re-releases it.
Michael Sembello is an amazing artist. This is the only album most people might recognize of his, because of the song "Maniac" from the movie Flashdance. But Michael had been at it a long time - he was part of Stevie Wonder's touring band in the early 70's and was a very in-demand session player, playing on albums for Randy Crawford, David Sanborn, the Jackson Five, Stephen Bishop and Sergio Mendez [which would be great future projects for Wounded Bird - Sergio Mendez' pop albums from the 80's]. He also wrote and/or produced songs for Chaka Khan, George Benson and Donna Summer to name a few. I'm not sure why Warner Bros. dropped him, or whether he left on his own accord, but he moved to A&M Records and released "Without Walls", an incredible follow-up album in 1986. He re-appeared in 1992, releasing "Caravan Of Dreams" on Polydor. It didn't get much in the way of airplay, but it was also a phenomenal album. His prowess on multiple instruments, production and vocals is breathtaking. In 1997, he re-appeared again, on another label, Columbia, for another incredible album "Backwards In Time". This album, however, was only released in Japan [Nippon Columbia]. Again, not much airplay, but some truly great music, musicianship, vocal performances and stellar songwriting. Michael's also written a lot of songs for films and several soundtracks. I guess he keeps busy but I don't think he has ever gotten his due, for the unbelievable amount of talent he has. A compilation was eventually released called "Ancient Future" for the Legend label in 2002. Another compilation called "The Lost Years" was released on the Italian label Frontiers Records in 2003. Bossa Nova Hotel contains some great music - the other top 40 release from this album, "Automatic Man" opens it. But there are many TRULY great songs on this album, including "It's Over", which also should have been released as a single. While this album has a place in most collections, I would urge anyone enjoying this album to search to find the other albums discussed above or either of his two compilations. All are difficult to find, but well worth the search. Wounded Bird would do well to release his whole catalog. Enjoy!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely voice...a little more guitar, please,
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Bossa Nova Hotel (Audio CD)
Familiar with him from the AMAZING 'Maniac' and then on a David Sanborn alburm whence he sang a couple of tunes. He just has 'one of those voices' and appears a bit too modest on the guitar. I warm more and more to this album with each listen.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unquestionably his best !,
By Torquemada "dunlopilo" (Atlanta, Georgia USA / Madrid, Spain.) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Bossa Nova Hotel (Audio CD)
Well, here we have another album to be poured into the "west coast", or Californian sound genre (today's critics and marketers would probably call it AOR, Adult Oriented Rock).
Michael Sembello is primarily known for his mega hit "Maniac", from the Flashdance film. And indeed it proved to be a powerful tune. I remember even buying the 12 inch mega version of the song. A very tonic and enthusiastic track that you can still hear today. "Maniac" is included in this cd, so for people who want the song, this is a justifiable purchase. But, what else is there on this collection ? In my opinion, a bunch of fun, unpretentious songs (just look a the backsleeve cover, Michael Sembello in shorts, without shoes, two suitcases and a Panama hat setting the mood) from the early eighties. Simple, to the point music; most of the tracks are one word titled. Lots of keyboards, powerful drumming, good bass and some electric guitarwork (not from Steve Lukather though). My favourites are Automatic Man, Cowboy, It's over and Talk for the ballad side. But I can listen to the whole thing with pleasure because, even if some tracks may sound silly, this is just an unpretentious album, as I said before. Carlitos Vega plays on most of the songs, as well as Paulinho da Costa, and SIR George Duke makes a stellar appearance on one track, so if you like these people and are a collector you'll want this album. All in all, a very pleasant cd if you like David Pack (Anywhere you go) or Bobby Caldwell (Cat in the Hat, Carry on) or even Toto. If you push a little bit, some of Gino Vannelli's stuff gets close to this too. It's the same sound, same type of instruments and same type of production (the man here in charge is Phil Ramone). A real pity that the rest of Michael's career wasn't quite as inspired and prolific. I think he has a very distinctive and personal voice, he just should have been more present and regular... You can occasionally find the album "Without Walls" (at an outrageous price though) or a more recent one called "Ancient future" (with a beautiful slow version of "Maniac"). If you like Sembello, you can listen to "As we speak" from David Sanborn, in which he participated. Bossanova hotel is a five star in context, but gets down to 4 because of its outdated side for today's listeners who will find it corny, and because it is only 40 minutes long (or short). But if you get it and like the people I mentioned, you will definitely enjoy it!
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