This is AOR of the highest standard and will keep fans of the true faith more than happy.

Frédéric Slama is a reputable song-writer, guitarist and keyboard player with (as most of the Fireworks faithful will know) a passion for all things his band name represents. He has now returned with a brand new release entitled 'L.A Darkness'.

Yet again it's an album that features the brilliant guitar playing and writing talents of Tommy Denander ; Slama and Denander in turn are joined by Colin Rodgers who handles the drums. Of course, these three musicians know just what it takes to write, produce and make a classy AOR album with great songs, and singers who can handle them. As with previous outings, Monsieur Slama has assembled a stellar cast to sing these new songs (although no ladies this time) ; Jeff Scott Soto, Kevin Chalfant, Steve Overland, Paul Sabu, Jessie Damon, Henry Small, Philip Bardowell, Rick Riso and Alessandro Del Vecchio are all on show, and each and every one of them sound absolutely fantastic.

'The Smartest Girl In L.A' (with Soto on vocals) kicks things off; it's a highly melodic, punchy song with a great hook that's also replete with the superb musicianship you've come to expect from this outfit. From this stunning beginning you just know that you're going to enjoy what's to follow.
"The Voice" (Overland) is up next with 'The Locked Soul'... enough said! These precede the likes of 'One Foot In Heaven' with the wonderful Chalfant sounding amazing, 'Blueprint For Love' and 'Desire Turning Into Dust' (with Sabu and Bardowell); both songs are yet again top quality.

AOR tracks which fans of the genre will relish include a return for Overland on my favourite song the AORtastic (sorry) 'Heart In Pawn', which like all great AOR songs has a chorus to die for, and one so memorable that you'll start humming and singing it at the most inopportune moments. Of course, with this AOR master class going on it would be so easy to just tell you about how good each song is; but I'll leave the rest for you to discover for yourselves.

Slama and his AOR Project have been making great music like this for many years now, and the quality never dips. This is AOR of the highest standard and will keep fans of the true faith more than happy.

Ian Johnson