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Sweat It Out
Release Date: 1978
Speed: 45 RPM
Side A ~ Sweat It Out
Side B ~ Day After Day
Release Date: 1978
Speed: 45 RPM
Side A ~ Sweat It Out
Side B ~ Day After Day
Pacific Orchestra's first record was a 45 single of the songs Sweat It Out and Day After Day. Taken from their sessions in Lake Geneva, WI which would result in the Midnight Magic LP, these songs enjoyed a healthy life on the juke box at Kahn's Ugly Mug, Pacific Orchestra's first venue in Cape May, NJ.
The record's jacket and the record labels were designed by artist Kenn Albright, a Key West local. His fonts and icons figured heavily in the design of the Midnight Magic album cover.
Details of the 45 label.
MIDNIGHT MAGIC
Release Year : 1978
Speed: 33 1/3 rpm
Side A ~
Get Out of Town
Surfer's Song
Day after Day
Fear of Falling
Sweat It Out
Side B ~
Anglo
Love Me Tonite
Lourdes
He Called It Love
Aura
Fantasy for Two
Speed: 33 1/3 rpm
Side A ~
Get Out of Town
Surfer's Song
Day after Day
Fear of Falling
Sweat It Out
Side B ~
Anglo
Love Me Tonite
Lourdes
He Called It Love
Aura
Fantasy for Two
Although Pacific Orchestra recorded Midnight Magic in Lake Geneva, WI, it was a Key West album through and through. Sympathetic musicians from the Chicagoland and Wisconsin area caught the laid back groove and brought it to life. Produced by studio master Andy Waterman, the sound was warm and romantic, just like the original music that David Khan Johnson, John Gladstone and Rick Fraley had composed. Ed Tossing came to be the musical director of the project and helped to mold and shape the songs as well as enhance them with his stellar performances on the piano and organ. Additional musicians included Lake Geneva legend Charles McFarlan on drums and Grammy winner Andrew Hill on guitar as well as Al Licause on trumpet and Mike Murphy on percussion.
The cover of Midnight Magic was painted by Key West artist Van Eno. Known for his detailed paintings of medival armor, Pacific Orchestra commissioned Van to paint something that represented Key West. Van did not fail. His lush, moving panorama captured the lively jungle night that can now be barely found in the now highly developed island paradise.
Keith DeBolt, who later played bass in Pacific Orchestra, assembled the cover's components, including pieces and fonts created by Key West artist Kenn Albright.
Keith DeBolt, who later played bass in Pacific Orchestra, assembled the cover's components, including pieces and fonts created by Key West artist Kenn Albright.
COSMO GIRL
Release Year : 1980
Speed: 45 rpm
Side A ~ Cosmo Girl
Side B ~ Rakatoomee (Original version with Keith DeBolt on bass)
Recorded in Lake Geneva, WI, Cosmo Girl had a harder edge. Enhanced by the driving congas of "Conga" George Terzis, the dance groove clashed with rock. Keith DeBolt played bass on Rakatoomee which allowed Rick Fraley to cut loose on lead guitar.
The front and back covers, as well as the record labels, for Cosmo Girl were designed by Key West artist Gill Furoy and executed in collaboration with artist Robert Lee.
Details of the 45 label.
ELECTRICITY
Release Year : 1982
Speed: 33 1/3
Side A ~
Electricity
Silver and Gold
Side B ~
My Neighborhood
Black Star Line
Speed: 33 1/3
Side A ~
Electricity
Silver and Gold
Side B ~
My Neighborhood
Black Star Line
The Electricity EP was recorded in Manhattan in 1982. Jeremy Wall from Spyro Gyra arranged, produced and performed on piano and synthesizer. Richie Ciavolino played the drums, Danny Miller played the bass, "Conga" George Terzis played percussion, and Steve Fuchs sang.
The front cover art for Electricity was designed by Khan. The influence of the cover of the Velvet Underground's "White Heat / White Light" is obvious. The back cover, a collage of Polaroid photos of the band, was also Khan's idea, but he made them too small to be effectively viewed.
INFINITY SHIP
Release year: 1984
Speed : 45 rpm
Side A ~
Infinity Ship
Infinity Rap
Side B ~
Why They Do That?
Why They Dub That?
Speed : 45 rpm
Side A ~
Infinity Ship
Infinity Rap
Side B ~
Why They Do That?
Why They Dub That?
Pacific Orchestra recorded the EP Infinity Ship in Manhattan with producers and international reggae superstars Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare. Joe Grassi played lead guitar, Steve Fuchs played bass, and Richie Ciavolino played drums. A fantastic dub mix titled Why They Dub That? was done at Lion & Fox studios in Washington, DC by Jim Fox and Dr. Dread. This record marked John Gladstone's first recordings as a keyboardist.
The cover photo was taken in an alley behind Lion & Fox studio by noted DC photographer Tommy Noonan. Space art was airbrushed onto the photos to match the sci fi subject matter of John's song Infinity Ship.
HOLD TIGHT
Release Year: 1986
Speed : 33 1/3 rpm
Side A ~
Hold Tight
Rakatoomee
Urge to Merge
Infinity Ship
Love Attack
Side B ~
Why They Do That?
Clublife
Manhattan
Out of Touch
He Called It Love
Speed : 33 1/3 rpm
Side A ~
Hold Tight
Rakatoomee
Urge to Merge
Infinity Ship
Love Attack
Side B ~
Why They Do That?
Clublife
Manhattan
Out of Touch
He Called It Love
Hold Tight was recorded in Atlanta with vetern producer Eddy Offord. Joe Grassi played guitar, Steve Fuchs played bass, and Nick Ruggieri played drums. Rick Fraley flew up from Key West to add vocals. Scott Alexander played additional keyboards. Especially notable is Joe's guitar solo on "Love Attack."
The cover photograph was taken by Tony Gregory, a friend of the band and well known Key West artist. James Flournoy Holmes designed the album art. For the back cover photo, John Gladstone donned a leather jacket and a switchblade while Khan flashed the sole of his shoe.