Issa Oversveen, a very gifted singer from Norway; has released her seventh studio album Lights of Japan, on January 20, 2023. Her solo album Signs of Angels, helped break Issa big, on the world stage. Her return to form is greatly assisted with the production leadership of none other than, Michele Guaitoli, lead singer of Visions of Atlantis, Temperance and ERA. However, I didn’t know of all his talents until now. He played guitar and bass as well as contributing to the songwriting on two tracks. Michele has also produced albums by Visions Of Atlantis, Kalidia, SheWolf, and many more.
But enough about the world class talents of Michele Guaitoli. The bulk of the album’s songwriting, was written by Issa’s husband James Martin and his brother Tom, from the band VEGA. Joining this all-star cast of musicians for Lights of Japan, isMarco Pastorino, on rhythm guitar; James Martin, on keyboards; and Marco Andreetto, on drums. Giovanni Barbetta, plays rich saxophone on the track, “Moon Of Love”. Guitar solos for the tracks, “Live Again”, “Lights Of Japan”, “Fight To Survive”, “It’s Over”, and “Seize The Day”, were played by Robby Luckets. Guitar solos for “Stop The Rain”, “Chains”, “Shadow To The Light”, “I’ll Be Waiting”, were played by Michele Guaitoli. The guitar solo for “I’ll Give You My Heart” was played by John Mitchell. Executive producer/A&R, for the album is Serafino Perugino.
Every track on Lights of Japan, is full of the life and vigor of Issa’s powerful and beautiful voice. At times, it reminds me a little of Chez Kane’s new album, which is definitely not a bad thing at all. I enjoyed all of the songs, but “It’s Over”, has a cool Rocky – “Eye of the Tiger”, like beat.
The opener, “Live Again”, also has that “I will never surrender”, feel to it. It also sounds a little like classic Journey and some of the AOR leaders of the late 70s and 80s. The title track is the best track on the album. The opening keyboards would bring a smile to Jonathan Cain’s face. Robby Luckets’s guitar soloing is absolutely fantastic.
“Shadow To The Light”, with its excellent Guaitoli, guitar solos is also excellent. Issa’s best vocal talents are reserved for the closer, another of the best song on the album, “I’ll be Waiting”. The keyboards on this track are some of the best on the album. The drums reign supreme on “Seize the Day”. This is also of Issa’s best vocal performances on the album. “Stop the Rain”, is also full of fantastic keys from James Martin. The moody, slow pace reminds me of some of Journey’s best ballads. Giovanni Barbetta’s sax solo on “Moon Of Love”, is one of the album’s best highlights. “Chains” will take you right back to the powerful music made during the height of 1980s AOR. “I’ll Give You My Heart”, sounds like a Heart classic love song from the 1980s.
This is a great album to take you back in time, at the same time that it provides a path to the future, with a singer who definitely understands well, where the foundation and legendary sound, of the late 70s/80s AOR, was formed and made memorable. Get this album and enjoy the explosive work and creative talent that these musicians put into it. Highly recommended!
Track List:
1. Live Again
2. Lights Of Japan
3. Seize The Day
4. Stop The Rain
5. Moon Of Love
6. Chains Of Love
7. Fight To Survive
8. It’s Over
9. I’ll Give You My Heart
10. Shadow To The Light
11. I’ll Be Waiting
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