Prophet – Prophet

One of the real gems of the AOR world is the 1985 Prophet debut.

Written by: gdmonline

ARTIST: Prophet
ALBUM: Prophet
LABEL: Total Experience
SERIAL: TEL 6-5709
YEAR: 1985
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

LINEUP: Dean Fasano – vocals * Ken Dubman – guitars * Scott Metaxas – bass * Joe Zujkowski – keyboards * Ted Poley – drums

TRACK LISTING: 01 Street Secrets * 02 Heart Of The Night * 03 Away From You * 04 Slow Down * 05 Power Play * 06 Everything You Are * 07 It’s Real * 08 Sail Away * 09 Listen To Ya’

Background

One of the real gems of the AOR world is the 1985 Prophet debut. Surprising because the album was produced by the band plus a gentleman by the name of Barry Harris. The quality is there, in all it’s richness, and grandiose pomposity, and is a swirling mixture of 80’s era Journey, and 70’s era Kansas.

This album put this New Jersey based outfit right at the forefront of melodic rock back in 1985. A collectors item it became, and a collectors item it still is after all these years due to it’s near indie status upon release. The personnel assembled on this album are all pretty much familiar names on the N.J circuit and have had interesting histories prior to and after this album.

Of course, Fasano was with The Message alongside Richie Sambora pre Bon Jovi, while Ted Poley later found fame with Danger Danger and Bone Machine, all the while leaving his drum seat behind and getting out the front with a mike.

The Songs

The songs on the album cut a swathe through two distinct styles; those that were more progressive sounding, and those that were more melodic-heavy rock oriented. For me the two standout moments are the very Kansas flavoured ‘Slow Down’ and the glorious pomp of ‘Everything You Are’.

If you thought Michael Read’s synths from Roadmaster caused you to hyperventilate, then listen to some of Joe Zujkowski’s work. The more upfront songs such as ‘Away From You’, ‘Powerplay’ and ‘Heart Of The Night’ meld the heavy guitar attack with fantastic synth and piano passages.

In Summary

I must confess this album gets a regular workout on the CD player, and I’m one of the fortunate few to have this as an original Japanese CD pressing (thanks Damon!), as the album was reissued on the Brunette-Alfa label in 1994, hence the album thumbnail you see is the Japanese cover, not the US version which incidentally is on the inside cover.

Since then, Z Records have taken it upon themselves (or is it , himself) to re-release the Prophet albums. Admirable move. On a sadder note, it must be mentioned that singer Dean Fasano passed away toward the end of 2009. His contribution on this album is immense. R.I.P Deano.

Video

Everything You Are