Recently released on Spectra Records, the new album by Robbie Dupree has been catching some pretty major attention. The EP covers remakes of some of the most unforgettable and timeless classics spanning numerous decades of popular hit music such as The Isley Brothers, The Flamingos, and Marc Jordan to name a few.
The new EP was recently voted as "One of the top ten best regional albums of 2012" by the Daily Freeman. The article stated the new release is one of the best attributes of our area is the immense treasure of important artists who live here, many of which are some of the best on the planet.
Fortunately, Robbie Dupree isn’t stuck in his impressive past, and his jaw-dropping voice, quest for excellence of should be an inspiration to all musicians, and this CD a must have. Check out Robbie Dupree's website at www.robbiedupree.com for all the latest tour dates and music.
Recently Spectra Records has signed Swedish hard rock band, Fatal Smile. During the last ten years Fatal Smile has built a strong and solid reputation internationally and achieved great success with their albums "Neo Natural Freaks" and "World Domination." The album was nominated for awards such as "Album Of The Year" at the Swedish Metal Awards. Fatal Smile has toured with Dio, W.A.S.P., Queensryche, Lordi, Doro, Winger and played festivals like Sweden Rock Festival, Wacken, Hard Rock Hell, Long'I'Rock, Rockalies and Rock Weekend. Fatal Smile is back with a vengeance with their new album "21st Century Freaks." The first single & video for "Welcome To The Freakshow" was released on April 13 and have sold over 10,000 copies and was rewarded with a Gold record in June. The album was released in Europe on May 14 and is already acclaimed as "Album Of The Year" in press & media.
The USA and Canada will see the release of "21st Century Freaks" at the beginning of 2013 on Spectra Records. The band is already grabbing attention from some major theatrical films slated for 2013 as well.
“I don´t know what the hell these guys are on, they never stop! They sure do know how to rock a crowd!” Eddie Jackson -Queensryche
“You guys are the best opening band I´ve ever had!” Ronnie James Dio -"The King Of Rock´n Roll", R.I.P."
To find out the latest tour dates and merchandise for Fatal Smile, visit www.fatalsmile.com
For more information, please contact: info@spectrarecords.com
The Spectra Music Group is launching a new Urban music division "Monarchy Records." The label will feature all the best artists from yesterday and today in R&B, Soul, Hip-Hop, Rap and Reggae. Spectra is very excited about its launch and feels the label will skyrocket. The new label will fall under the umbrella of the already popular Spectra Music Group which houses Spectra Records, Spectra Records Canada, Spectra Jazz and Spectra Heritage.
The new branch has already added 3 new artists to its roster to help catapult things into the right direction. Cata9Tales, J-Hen and International Nova head off the roster currently as Monarchy looks forward to a very bright future with them all.
The new Monarchy Records website launches in just under a few weeks. You can visit it at www.monarchyrecords.com
For more information, please contact: info@spectrarecords.com
Toxic Lab Rats release their highly anticipated sophmore album entitled "Pandemic Alert." Their first album "Intoxicated" scored rave reviews and the Toxic Lab Rats toured the USA gaining fans at every turn. Their first album was labeled as "a solid punch in the face with a heavily tattooed fist and 15 catchy tracks full of heart and attitude."
Their latest album features some tracks like "Hittin' The States," "Too Good For You," "Punks 'N' Drunks" and Merle Haggard's "Mama Tried." The new album hits stores Tuesday September 11, 2012. "Pandemic Alert" will be available at Best Buy, FYE, Sears, Hot Topic, iTunes, Amazon and more.
Their first single "Hittin' The States" is available online now at iTunes, Amazon and Spotify.
For more information, please contact: info@spectrarecords.com
IMC EP Of The Day - “Arc Of A Romance” by Robbie Dupree (2012).
With all of the changes in the music business in the past decade, we’ve seen many artists doing their best to adapt to the changing climate when it comes to releasing new music. It’s now a really huge deal if an artist is able to sell 250,000 units versus the multiplatinum days of yore. Others are going directly to their fan base to fund projects, essentially pre-selling the releases through online campaign’s such as Kickstarter and others. And there are some independent labels such as Spectra Records that are still finding ways to record, distribute and promote great artists like Robbie Dupree. His latest release, "Arc of a Romance," is a great example of quality versus quantity. While it contains only four tracks, each one is gracefully produced and performed.
Robbie has never sounded better as he delivers deeply heartfelt performances on each of these beautiful cover songs. Dupree has also avoided the Motown/American Songbook path that so many others have already travelled on projects like this by choosing selections from various periods in music.
The first track, “I Only Have Eyes For You” originally recorded by The Flamingos in 1959, features Oli Rockberger on fender rhodes, Jonathan Maron on standup bass, Doug Yowell on brushed drums, Chad DeBrock on guitar, Leslie Smith on backing vocals with gorgeous strings arranged by Rick Chudacoff and Robbie Dupree on harmonica. Next up is Robbie’s smooth take on the Isley’s “For The Love Of You” from 1975. Bill Harris’s flute floats thru the fantastic arrangement featuring keyboards from Clifford Carter, guitars from David Spinoza, bass from Jonathan Maron, drums from Doug Yowell, congas from Manuel Quintana with Leslie Smith on backing vocals. (The digital version of this release features a bonus track of “For The Love Of You” with Butch Thomas on sax) The next two tracks are simply inspired choices -- “We Let The Stars Go”, originally recorded by Prefab Sprout in 1990, featuring Jeff Pevar on guitars, mandolin, bass, keys & percussion with Kyle Esposito’s 12 string guitar solo and Donna Lewis on backing vocals. Closing out the ep is Dupree’s version of “Coronation Street” that was originally recorded by Marc Jordan from his 1993 “Reckless Valentine” album.
This version features Mike Demicco on guitar, Ira Coleman on standup bass with Clifford Carter’s piano and great string arrangement.
The amazing thing about this project is the care and attention to detail that was taken in the song selection, production and performance. Even though the compositions are from various decades, they all contain the same feeling of vintage songs from the same period with timeless, classic imagery, and all delivered through the amazing vocal artistry of Robbie Dupree.
If there was ever an ep that left you wanting for more, this has to be at the very top of the list for me. Engeneered and co-produced by Julie Last, this is REAL MUSIC -- Incredible performances all around with ageless material... I can’t give it a stronger recommendation.
Written by Inside Music Cast
For more information, please contact: info@spectrarecords.com
Larry Hoppen, one of the founding members of the band
Orleans, passed away on July 24, 2012. Born in Long Island, NY, Hoppen was 61
years old.
Between 1969 and 1971, his Ithaca, NY – based band,
Buffalongo, made two LPs for United Artists. The second included the original
recording of “Dancin’ in the Moonlight,” later a hit by friends King Harvest.
Soon after Boffalongo disbanded in late 1971, Larry got a call from (former US
Congressman, D-NY, 19) John Hall, inviting him to come to Woodstock, NY to join
with the late Wells Kelly and John to form Orleans which he did in early 1972.
Larry’s younger brother, Lance, joined the band in the following fall. Tens of
millions know Larry’s uplifting tenor from the Orleans hits “Still The One,” “Dance
With Me” and “Love Takes Time.”
Hoppen also performed and/or recorded with Jackson Browne,
Bonnie Raitt, Livingston Taylor, Lulu, Graham Parker, Blues Traveler, Ricky
Skaggs, Steve Wariner, Michael Franks, Levon Helm, the late great Michael
Brecker, Chet Atkins, Artie Traum, John Sebastian, Bela Fleck, Felix Cavaliere,
Edgar Winter, Robbie Dupree, Spencer Davis, Rick Derringer, Mark Farner, John
Ford Coley and many more notable artists.
Larry released 3 solo albums: “Handmade, ““Looking For The
Light,” and most recently “One of the Lucky Ones.” Larry was still touring with
Orleans, including brother Lance and youngest brother Lane. Orleans was
scheduled to appear on Fox TV’s nationwide “Fox & Friends’ All American
Concert Series” show on Friday July 27th.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Smith Hoppen and his
daughters, Claire and Maeve, as well as his brothers, Lance and Lane and his
sister, Lynda. The family asks that since Larry’s passion was feeding the
hungry, his friends and fans can honor his memory by making a contribution to
their local food bank in his name. Spectra Records is saddened by the recent
loss of our dear friend Larry Hoppen. Larry was a great talent and has been a
fantastic addition to the Spectra Records family. He will be truly missed. Our
deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.
For more information, please contact:
info@spectrarecords.com
Robbie Dupree's latest EP entitled "Arc of a Romance" will hit the stores Tuesday July 10, 2012. This EP will be the follow up to last years hit album "Time and Tide." The EP will feature cover songs that span over the last 5 decades of timeless favorites done in the signature Robbie Dupree style.
Dupree fans will hear the classics that were originally written by The Flamingo's, The Isley Brothers, Paddy Mc Aloon and Marc Jordan. A bonus track is available on the digital album version only which features Jazz saxophonist Butch Thomas. Thomas struck gold in the 80's and 90's playing alongside of the likes of Sting, Lenny Kravitz, Huey Lewis and more.
Track Listing Includes:
I Only Have Eyes For You 5:48
For The Love Of You 5:30
We Let The Stars Go 3:25
Coronation Street 4:51
Bonus Track: (Digital Version Only)
For The Love Of You featuring Butch Thomas
For more information, please contact: info@spectrarecords.com
