In the 1977 through 1979 years, I believe Jay Graydon and David Foster made a sonic and artistic revolution with their production of stellar-level radio-friendly music. While fusion music, and - worst of all - sung fusion music enjoy a well deserved, horrible reputation by these days, certain albums of that era, judged based simply on quality of composition, arrangements, players' and singers' skills, and last but not least production, remain as undisputable works of art by any standard. I did not know anything about this Steve Kipner back in 1979, but bought this album because I loved Jay Graydon as a guitarist first and foremost, and as a composer/arranger/producer as well. Only later did I learn that Kipner was a well respected songwriter in LA's music scene. Graydon's electric guitar playing shines on albums by the likes of Gino Vannelli (Storm at Sunup), Steely Dan (Peg on Aja), and Manhattan Transfer, to name a few. But, to my ears, it is on this one, on Marc Jordan's "Blue Desert", and on Graydon/Foster's own "Airplay" project that those loving Jay's tasteful phrasing are at risk of wetting their pants. This album is a collection of great, classy songs, mostly penned by Kipner and Graydon. They are sung impeccably and played by the usual suspects of that time - basically the Toto bandmembers plus friends like Victor Feldman on percussion and Michael Omartian on keys. A practical demonstration of how brilliant compositional and musicianship values can really shine in the song format - Steely Dan come to mind. Ok, this is no Royal Scam or Aja (thence my four, not five stars), but it is only just a notch less. Being based in Italy, where I believe this album sold maybe two or three copies, I do not know if this work had any impact in the US. But I suspect it did not - which is a shame. Ok, I will go ahead, and say that Jay Graydon's solo on "The Ending" probably ranks among the top five best electric guitar solos of all time and of all genres. Surprised? Just give it a listen...
