Like the album-title, this set lives up to its name, though it might not be as high-profile as Jeff Paris’ next LP ‘Wired Up’, there is much to like on this 1986 debut.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Jeff Paris
ALBUM: Race To Paradise
LABEL: Mercury/Polygram
SERIAL: 422-826 648-1 M-1
YEAR: 1986
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Jeff Paris – vocals, guitar, piano, organ * Roger Fiets – bass, backing vocals * Bob Marlette – synthesizer * Pat Torpey – drums, backing vocals * George Young – sax ‘My Girl’ * Moon Calhoun, Michael Caruso, John Keller, Paul Kingery, Rick Neigher – backing vocals
TRACK LISTING: 01 I’m Better * 02 Mystery Girl * 03 My Girl * 04 Give It Away * 05 Don’t Make Promises * 06 Back On My Knees * 07 Hot Love * 08 Rock Tonight * 09 Race To Paradise
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
Jeff Paris (a.k.a Geoffrey Leib) is well known to fans of AOR and melodic rock. He received plaudits for his work as a musician and songwriter during the 80’s, after spending a bit of time during the late 70’s involved with disco and funk, playing on tour with many artists of those genres, as well as with his own 1979 project Pieces.
Transitioning into the 80’s presented a different set of challenges, instead moving more into hard rock, initially songwriting for Lita Ford, then hooking a deal with Polygram/Mercury, who had Lita on their books at the time.
Yes, it’s who you know rather than what you know that counts in the biz. At the time, Leib was pushing out numerous tunes, and was pretty adept at producing his own material, and based on some demos, Polygram offered him a deal for an album, which ultimately became his 1986 debut ‘Race To Paradise’.
The Songs
The label, and Jeff’s manager thought they had the next Bon Jovi on their hands. With a stage-name change (Leib became Paris), and with some top L.A talent in tow (Pat Torpey (Mr Big), Bob Marlette (Neal Schon, China Sky, Burns Sisters) and Roger Fiets (Rox Diamond, Artica), ‘Race To Paradise’ became an undiscovered classic.
Like the album-title, this set lives up to its name. Though it might not be as high-profile as Jeff’s next LP ‘Wired Up’, there is much to like on this debut. Fast paced rockers such as ‘I’m Better’ and ‘Give It Away’ provides the momentum, the sensational ‘Back On My Knees’ is possibly the album highlight, thanks in part to a terrific chorus. The triumvirate of ‘Hot Love’, ‘Rock Tonight’ and the closing title-track ‘Race To Paradise’ all add brownie points to what is a great LP.
In Summary
Doing a little digging, the album never saw an official reissue for decades. Neither.Rock Candy, AOR Heaven or Wounded Bird got around to it. It finally happened in 2023 thanks to French label Bad Reputation, the reissue also containing four bonus tracks, which were in fact four cuts from ‘Wired Up’. Go figure.
Jeff Paris on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
