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💿 RELEASE DETAILS
SWEET COMFORT BAND – HEARTS OF FIRE
Artist: Sweet Comfort Band
Album: Hearts Of Fire
Style: Christian Rock / Pop / AOR / Funk / Soul
Format: CD
Packaging: Full-Color 4-Panel Digipak
Label: Retroactive Records
Catalog Number: RAR7891
UPC: 845121012125
Tracks: 10
Running Time: 34:58
Original Release: 1981
Reissue Release: 2009
Remastered By: J. Powell at Steinhaus
🔥 KEY COLLECTOR DETAILS
• Classic 1981 Sweet Comfort Band Album: Captures the band moving boldly into polished '80s rock, melodic AOR, funk, and sophisticated pop.
• Featuring Bryan Duncan: Showcases the extraordinary soulful voice of one of contemporary Christian music's most celebrated vocalists.
• Featuring Randy Thomas: Includes the powerful guitar work and songwriting of the musician who later co-founded Allies.
• Legendary Bassist Louis Johnson: Features the acclaimed Brothers Johnson bassist on "They Just Go On" and "Feel Like Singin'."
• Guitarist Paul Jackson Jr.: Features the celebrated Los Angeles session guitarist on "They Just Go On" and "Feel Like Singin'."
• Produced by David Diggs and Jack Joseph Puig: An impressive production team combining sophisticated musical arrangements with world-class recording expertise.
• Featuring Bob Bennett: The acclaimed Christian singer-songwriter contributes acoustic guitar and lyrics.
• Multi-Instrumentalist David Diggs: Contributes keyboards, percussion, backing vocals, and elaborate string and horn arrangements.
• Outstanding Musical Arrangements: Features saxophones, flute, brass, strings, and a violin solo alongside the band's powerful rock instrumentation.
• Ten Memorable Tracks: Includes "Isabel," "They Just Go On," "Contender," and "Feel Like Singin'."
• A More Powerful Rock Sound: Blends melodic rock, AOR, funk, soulful pop, ballads, and harder-edged guitar-driven songs.
• Recorded at Major Los Angeles Studios: Sessions took place at Studio 55, Sound Labs, MCA Whitney, LA Studios, and Mama Jo's.
• Originally Mastered by Mike Reese: The original 1981 album was mastered at the legendary Mastering Lab.
• Remastered by J. Powell at Steinhaus: Specially remastered for this Retroactive Records CD edition.
• Full-Color 4-Panel Digipak: Limited-edition Retroactive Records reissue featuring enhanced original album artwork.
• For Fans Of: Toto, Kansas, Whiteheart, Petra, Allies, and Ambrosia.
SWEET COMFORT BAND – HEARTS OF FIRE: SOULFUL VOCALS, POWERFUL ROCK & WORLD-CLASS MUSICIANSHIP!
By the time Sweet Comfort Band released Hearts Of Fire in 1981, the group was entering a new decade with an increasingly powerful and polished sound. The jazz, soul, and funk influences of their earlier albums were still present, but the band was now embracing harder-edged rock, melodic pop, and the sophisticated AOR sound that would help define their later work.
The result was one of the strongest and most diverse albums of Sweet Comfort Band's career. CCM Magazine editor John Styll called Hearts Of Fire the band's best album to that point, and it is easy to understand why. Ballads, funk, soulful pop, and full-throttle rock all coexist within a remarkably concise ten-song album.
Bryan Duncan is once again at the center of the sound, delivering the expressive, soulful vocals that would eventually propel his highly successful solo career. Guitarist Randy Thomas — later of Allies — brings both electric and acoustic guitar firepower, while bassist Kevin Thomson and drummer Rick Thomson complete Sweet Comfort Band's formidable core lineup.
FEATURING LOUIS JOHNSON OF THE BROTHERS JOHNSON & PAUL JACKSON JR.!
One of the most impressive aspects of Hearts Of Fire is the remarkable collection of guest musicians. Legendary bassist Louis Johnson, best known for his work with The Brothers Johnson, contributes his unmistakable bass playing to "They Just Go On" and "Feel Like Singin'."
Johnson's powerful, funky bass style was a major influence on an entire generation of musicians, and his involvement gives these recordings an especially appealing connection to the world of mainstream R&B and funk.
Also featured on those two tracks is acclaimed session guitarist Paul Jackson Jr., whose remarkable career as a studio musician has placed him among the most respected guitarists in popular music. Together, Johnson and Jackson bring an additional level of rhythmic sophistication and groove to the band's already impressive sound.
PRODUCED BY DAVID DIGGS & JACK JOSEPH PUIG
The album was produced by David Diggs and Jack Joseph Puig, bringing together two exceptionally talented musicians and recording professionals.
Diggs contributes acoustic piano, Rhodes electric piano, Prophet-5 synthesizer, Hammond organ, percussion, backing vocals, and sophisticated string and horn arrangements. His wide-ranging musical contributions help give the album its distinctive balance of rock power, soulful rhythms, and polished production.
Puig, who would go on to become a highly respected Grammy-winning producer and engineer, also handled the recording and mixing of the album. His work helps capture both the energy of the band and the impressive detail of the arrangements.
Acclaimed Christian singer-songwriter Bob Bennett contributes acoustic guitar and lyrics, while saxophones, flute, brass, strings, and a violin solo further expand the musical palette. These additional textures distinguish Hearts Of Fire from more conventional rock albums of the period.
FROM "ISABEL" TO "FEEL LIKE SINGIN'"
The songwriting of Duncan and Thomas continued to mature alongside the music. "Isabel" bursts with memorable hooks and an infectious melodic approach, while "They Just Go On" delivers irresistible pop songwriting enhanced by the contributions of Louis Johnson and Paul Jackson Jr.
"Contender" turns up the guitars with muscular power chords and a harder rock edge, demonstrating that Sweet Comfort Band could deliver plenty of electric guitar firepower alongside their more soulful arrangements.
Then there's "Feel Like Singin'," where the band's funk and soul influences come roaring back to the forefront. The combination of exceptional musicianship, outstanding session players, and Duncan's unmistakable vocal delivery makes the song a particularly memorable moment.
Across the album, Sweet Comfort Band moves confidently between powerful melodic rock, sophisticated funk, soulful pop, and reflective ballads. Few bands in the contemporary Christian music scene were capable of combining these styles with such ease.
MORE MATURE SONGWRITING & A POWERFUL MESSAGE
Just as importantly, the songwriting reveals a growing emotional maturity. Rather than relying on easy lyrical formulas, Hearts Of Fire addresses faith and life with a more personal and thoughtful approach that helped distinguish Sweet Comfort Band from many of their contemporaries.
The album's combination of thoughtful lyrics, powerful musicianship, and polished arrangements represents the band operating with confidence and a clear musical identity.
RECORDED AT LEGENDARY LOS ANGELES STUDIOS
The recording credentials are impressive. Sessions took place across several major Los Angeles recording facilities, including Studio 55, Sound Labs, MCA Whitney, LA Studios, and Mama Jo's.
With production by David Diggs and Jack Joseph Puig, and Puig also handling recording and mixing, the album benefits from an exceptionally professional studio environment. The original recording was mastered by Mike Reese at The Mastering Lab, another respected name in the recording industry.
THE RETROACTIVE RECORDS DIGIPAK EDITION
This special Retroactive Records reissue has been remastered by J. Powell at Steinhaus and comes packaged in a beautiful full-color 4-panel digipak featuring enhanced original album artwork.
Hearts Of Fire captures Sweet Comfort Band hitting the early '80s with confidence — combining world-class musicianship, soulful vocals, serious hooks, and a harder melodic rock edge without abandoning the funk and sophistication that made the band unique.
FOR FANS OF: Toto / Kansas / Whiteheart / Petra / Allies / Ambrosia
🎵 COMPLETE TRACKLIST
1. Isabel
2. You Can Make It
3. They Just Go On
4. The Road
5. Feel Like Singin'
6. Now Or Never
7. Can You Help Me?
8. Contender
9. Just Like Me
10. You Need A Reason
Isabel / You Can Make It / They Just Go On / The Road / Feel Like Singin' / Now Or Never / Can You Help Me? / Contender / Just Like Me / You Need A Reason
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