In my opinion, ‘Roko’ rates as one of the best German AOR-melodic rock albums of the era. It’s got everything really, power, melody, songs, and a red hot production courtesy of everybody’s favourite Bob Marlette.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Roko
ALBUM: Roko
LABEL: Polydor
SERIAL: 843 353-2
YEAR: 1990
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Germany
LINEUP: Robbie Kohlmeyer – vocals, guitars * Marc Bugnard – guitars * Jurgen Beitel – keyboards * Andre Pasquier – bass * Ricky Lee – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 One Night Stand * 02 Jane * 03 Satisfaction * 04 Could You Be My Love * 05 Take It Easy * 06 Burning Hearts * 07 Don’t Turn Around * 08 Fantasy * 09 Looking For Love * 10 All Over Now * 11 On My Way * 12 Why Won’t You * 13 Hold On
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
In my opinion, ‘Roko’ rates as one of the best German AOR-melodic rock albums of the era. It’s got everything really, power, melody, songs, and a red hot production courtesy of everybody’s favourite Bob Marlette. Following two years on from the Jojo project, Robbie Kohlmeyer’s heavied things up a tad, and got a big budget in behind him to really tonk it up.
I suppose the inevitable comparisons to Bonfire and Craaft are made considering the American influence, and yes they are similar but this is more ‘in your face’ and has quality right from track 1 to track 13.
The Songs
Well, where do we start? Look for a dud track? Uh oh, that could be pretty hard. Really truly I don’t think there is a dud here. Highlights then? Numerous. The pomp powerhouses of ‘Take It Easy’ and the immense ‘Looking For Love’, the rather AOR radio friendly ‘Burnin’ Hearts’ and ‘Fantasy’.
Then there’s the subtle intensity of ‘Don’t Turn Around’ and two magical ballads in the form of ‘Could You Be My Love’ and the awesome ‘Hold On’. The choruses on both these two are killer. The other notable inclusion is the Jefferson Starship classic moment ‘Jane’ (from the ‘Freedom At Point Zero’ album). A worthy cover and well executed too.
In Summary
I won’t go on. Find it, bribe someone for it (not me), CDR it, whatever, just get it. You won’t be disappointed. There were a couple of videos on YouTube, but there is a YTM link included below for your listening pleasure.
Roko on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
