Fergie Frederiksen - Equilibrium | ||
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Album Cover: |
Label: MTM Music Producers: Ricky Philips Year: 1999 UK Distribution: Cargo Records Total Playing Time: 45:47 m:s Review date: 8 April 1999 |
| Web site: MTM Music
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| Rating: 8/9 | ||
| Verdict: Fergie gets the balance right. | ||
| Fergie is most famous for fronting those Westcoast superheroes Toto and for an album with Ricky Philips. This time he is out on his own with some high profile buddies backing him up. This impressive array of cohorts includes Ricky Philips, Bruce Gowdy, Ron Wilso, Kelly Hansen, Tim Pierce, Rocket Ritchotte, Guy Allison, Steve Porcaro, Michael Monarch, Denny Laine, Jason Scheff, Jeff Scott Soto, Marcus Nand, Neal Schon and Jim Peterik. My first impression was that this was a very slick and controlled performance from all concerned, but that it wasn't exactly the most exciting record I'd heard so far this year. That is a view I've often expressed regarding Westcoast music. I was determined to have a downer on this and write it off as being predictable and a bit of a snooze. However, things haven't quite worked out that way. I've ended up liking this record. I think the sheer quality of what is on offer shone above my prejudices about all things Westcoast. 'Blaze Of Love' is an uptempo infectious start that owes more to AOR than Westcoast. 'Mata Hari' hits more of Westcoast groove with a dreamy synth sound that spaces things out between the sugar sweet of choruses. With the title track we're into full Westcoast mode and the Toto influence oozes to the surface. From 'All For Love' onwards the album falls into a relaxed mood with a mixture of ballads and slow to mid-tempo tunes with Chicago and Toto being the relevant reference points. The final track, 'Language Of Love', slips back into a more AOR mode with a memorable chorus for you to take away with you. It also features some scorching guitar work by Neal Schon who steals the show in the guitar solo stakes. Those of you with a liking for Toto and other Westcoast merchants are going to love this. Indeed, judging from the reviews of the new Toto album, this one may well have the upper hand. I certainly found this a far more entertaining prospect than I imagined, although it does get a little too relaxed around the middle for my personal tastes and that is why I've ended up stopping just short of a full 9 rating. | ||
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