COLLABORATIONS, Songs from the Heart Vol. 1

Back in the 60’s and 70’s, a loose collective of highly respected, then-anonymous Los Angeles session musicians known as The Wrecking Crew provided propulsive, dynamic musical backdrops to hundreds of  Top 40 smashes. Powerfully and joyfully updating this exciting studio synergy for the modern era, the multi-talented crew of veteran songwriters, producers and vocalists behind the Collaborations concept call themselves “The East Coast Wrecking Crew, The ‘A’ Team of Musicians.

From Ed Nelson (who wrote the music and developed the themes for the songs) to producer Vic Steffans, co-producer/orchestrator Matt Oestreicher and numerous (mostly female) vocalists and backing musicians, it’s likely that the names driving  spirited, infectiously melodic, playfully grooving horn-drenched retro magic on the ensemble’s aptly titled debut album Songs from the Heart Vol. 1 are unfamiliar to casual pop fans. Yet they all brought mile long, often star-studded resumes to the sessions at Horizon Music Studios in West Haven, CT.

As you listen from the soulful, sultry and soaring opener “Let The Love In” to the anthemic, social conscious R&B/gospel-fired closer “Running Out of Tomorrows,” you’ll get to know these great artists in a heartfelt and intimate yet often festive way (and if you want those resumes, you can check out the website www.collaborationsmusic.com/artists.

The vocalists/co-writers include the magnificent talents Anais Preller, Suzanne Kiss, Heather Joseph, Carla Zipay, Sylvia Jones, Sheila Fabrizio, Vita Rose Taytro, Bonnie Lee Panda and Alex Bach, while the lineup of musicians is anchored by lead guitarist Al Ferrante (Edgar Winter, Cyndi Lauper, teacher of John Mayer), bassist Scott Spray (longtime member of the Johnny Winter Band and a Blues Hall of Famer) and drummer Bobby Torello (Johnny Winter, Grace Slick, Michael Bolton). Artfully fusing insightful and emotional lyrics and a jangly, sensual feel good classic R&B/pop vibes,

Songs from the Heart promotes its irresistibly engaging music as “the timeless backdrop of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. But the majestic vocals and vocal production, polished production values and cool, brassy energy may also remind listeners of classic early 90’s pop/soul/Adult Contemporary greats like Swing Out Sister and Everything But the Girl. All in all, Collaborations showcases a masterful collective of musical greats that will leave everyone eager for what’s in store on Songs from the Heart Vol. 2.