Artist: ARC ANGEL
Album: HARLEQUINS OF LIGHT (CD)

Year: 2013
Media type: CD

When we talk about artists within the AOR and melodic rock genre, the name Jeff Cannata is one that easily springs to mind. Recognised mostly for his classic Arc Angel opus from 1983, Cannata was a founding member and driving force behind the New Haven-based progressive rock band Jasper Wrath, a band that featured the vocal talent of James Christian. James of course went on to join Gregg Giuffria’s band House Of Lords during the late eighties. Cannata meanwhile, continued writing and producing as well as honing his chops on other instruments: notably woodwinds, guitars and keyboards, with the drums still as his main instrument.

From this springboard would emerge the building blocks that ended up as the Arc Angel project on the Portrait/CBS label in 1982, with long time ally Michael Soldan making a significant contribution. Produced with the assistance of legendary industry figures such as Tony Bongiovi , Lennie Petze and Lance Quinn (Bon Jovi), Arc Angel as an album is - to date - still highly regarded among the melodic rock community.

A few years later during 1988, Jeff returned with the ‘Images Of Forever’ album, through the French label Carrere, distributed through CBS. It was a lush symphonic set that integrated progressive and AOR leanings with all the modern hi-tech tools of that era. This continued with the 1993 release ‘Watching the World’ on the UK Label, Now And Then: a stirring combination of Styx and Yes-like commercialism. Later in 2002, Jeff returned with his album ‘Tamorok’ on the Swedish Label, Atenzia, and in 2006 “Mysterium Magnum” on Oxford Circus, which went more in a Progressive musical landscape, both of which have received great critical acclaim, especially in Europe, and are generally considered as some of the finest slices of AOR Music of their time.

During 2012 Cannata made contact with Frontiers, and decision was made to resurrect the Arc Angel monicker for a new release entitled “Harlequins of Light”. The new record would metaphorically build a bridge between Cannata’s different musical eras: from the commercial and pompous Melodic Rock of the early eighties, to the more Prog and Hi-tech musical material of his most recent solo albums.

To add fuel to the fire, Jeff has re-recorded a classic song from his now rare album “Images of Forever” – “Fortune Teller” for a splendid new version for new and old fans’ delight.

Jeff Cannata once again delivers a mesmerizing package of melodic rock – and in doing so, keeps up his time honoured tradition of releasing quality product to the melodic rock world.

TRACKLIST:

1. Harlequins Of Light
2. As Far As The Eye Can See
3. War (Battle Wounds Of Life) 4. Voice Of Illuminati
5. Through The Night
6. Amnesia (The Rest Of Your Life)
7. Fortune Teller 2
8. California Daze
9. Tonight… Forever

LINE-UP:

Jeff Cannata: Lead and Background Vocals, Drums, Bass, Keyboards, Guitars, producer

With:

Jeff Batter: Acoustic Piano, Synths
Jay Rowe: Organ, Synths
Scott Spray: Bass Guitar
David Coe: Acoustic Guitar
Jimi Bell, Gary Maus, Andy Abel, Tony Spada, Mark Proto, Jay Jesse Johnson: Lead Guitars
Pete Hodson: Background Vocals, Synth