Artist: SALUTE
Album: TOY SOLDIER (CD)

Release date: 2009
Media type: CD

There is always an element of excitement when a new band breaks into the music scene, especially one with such a great line-up!

Mikael Erlandsson is one of the best singer/songwriters in Sweden today with a successful career as a solo artist, especially in Europe and Japan. He has such a distinctive husky voice and many will recognise as the lead vocalist and keyboards player for “Last Autumns Dream”. Any fan of LAD will love this CD, simply because Mikael is the singer, but this CD should be bought on its own merits as “Toy Soldier” is a fantastic melodic rock recording in its own right. Many will already know that Martin Kronlund is a world class producer and guitar player and his work shows on this outstanding CD. Powerful harmonies, crunching guitars and beautiful keyboards are the order of the day. The presence of Imre Daun on drums is the icing on the cake, his pedigree traces back to Don Patrol and more recently Gypsy Rose.

With tracks like “Lost in a Dream” and “I am your Prisoner” Salute are onto a winner, the balance is just perfect. For a stand out ballad check out “I really want you in my life”, Mikael’s haunting vocals are in a class of their own here. Salute excel in catchy choruses and effortless melodies, the songs just seem to flow as if it is no effort for them; a true sign of professionalism! “Be a star” is a song that could gain commercial success as it is just so well crafted with that endearing guitar chord infused into the chorus. Mikael is so good at bringing out the best in a song…”Yesterday always been gone” is proof of that. The whole CD just smacks of class and is possibly the finest recording you will hear this year. Martin Kronlund’s professional touch in the production department is just fantastic and makes this a “must have” CD.

Salute are a band to watch out for, there is no doubt about that.

TRACKLIST:

01 Lost in a dream
02 Cheated
03 Running away with you
04 I am your prisoner
05 I really want you in my life
06 Toy soldier
07 Steel desire
08 Be A Star
09 Dynamite
10 Yesterday always been gone
11 It’s my time
12 Follow the sun.

LINE-UP:

Mikael Erlandsson – Lead Vocals, Keyboards
Martin Kronlund – Guitars, Bass
Imre Daun – Drums and Percussion

Dan Helgesen - Hammond on “ Lost in a dream “

Produced, Mixed and Mastered by Martin Kronlund
Recorded at JM Studio AB- Molnlycke Sweden