Things started for Jerry G. Hludzik way back in 1971 when he and Billy Kelly were the mainstays of The Buoys (do you remember their hit “Give Up Your Guns/Timothy” from 1972?). In 1977 they went on to form Jerry-Kelly (album: “Somebody Else’s Dream” in 1980), which name was later changed into Dakota (album: “Dakota” in 1980). Extensive tours followed, among which a 30 city US tour as support band of Queen. In 1984 MCA Records released the “Runaway” album, which is still one of my favourite AOR albums of all time. The band continued touring until it was decided to take a break in 1987. At the time nobody knew that it would take them ten full years to return to the scene. 1997 saw the release of “Lost Tracks”, which was released by Escape Music under a different title, namely “Mr. Lucky”. Another two albums (“Last Standing Man” and “Little Victories”) followed, but none of them sounded as impressive as the above-mentioned “Runaway” album.
Which brings me to the release of “Deep 6”, the band’s sixth studio album, of which preparations already started in the summer of 2002. And … to cut a long story short, the result is nothing else but stunning. Manwiller and Hludzik chose to get back to the 80s style, which means that “Deep 6” could easily be compared to their all-time masterpiece “Runaway”. As far as I’m concerned, you could call it the real follow-up of that milestone, as the new songs are at least as impressive, as well as the performance and the production (Hludzik/Manwiller). Count to that the special guest appearances of (co-founder) Bill Kelly (backing vocals on “What Were You Thinkin’?”, “Holdin’ Your Own” and “Right This Minute”) and Chicago’s Bill Champlin (backing vocals on “Back To Me”) and in this day and age all AOR lovers have a brand-new album in the old 80s style they absolutely can’t afford to miss. Among my favourite tracks for the moment are heavy opener “Brothers In Arms”, “Back To Me” (Toto?), “Eye Of The Storm” (up-tempo), “Luck, Time & Mind” and “Deep 6”, which is an incredible a capella mix of all 12 songs on this album on which the guys show how good they still can sing in perfect harmony.
Who said AOR was dead and buried? Dakota prove the contrary and it’s up to us all to support them. AOR album of the year? (CL)
 

---

Members' opinions

post your opinion

Jez (on 19/04/07) No nonsense AOR Release. Slightly Westcoast in places, with a .38 Special feel on a couple of other tracks (which is no bad thing). Good set of songs and a really good production this time (a point which has let a couple of thier previous releases down).   scnooper (on 12/04/04) Dakota has once again done a masterful job of giving music lovers a masterpiece. I love the "windows down - head bouncing - driving and singing out loud" music. And as always, Dakota's ballads are always a favorite of mine. How is that Dakota who has singers that can actually sing, a drummer that can engineer a 6 mile train, a guitar player that is a amazing, an incredible keyboard player, harmonies that actually are in harmony and melodies that stay stuck in your head...explain to me how they are not a household name and in every CD player?   lisehora (on 10/04/04) Dakota has done it again! Runaway was a great album but I think this is even better! In fact, the two previous releases, Last Standing Man and Little Victories are also the caliber of Runaway. These guys just keep getting better and better. I agree with the reviewer in that they are in contention for AOR album of the year! The tracks sound good at first listen and just keep getting better. I have been listening to it for months now and it is still my favorite. I encourage you to listen for yourself and in joining me in asking for more from Dakota. I think Deep 6 will be remembered as a classic AOR album. This band may well lead the charge as AOR becomes the favored genre of the masses.   AORPOMPY (on 7/04/04) All praise to the mighty Dakota for this fantastic AOR record ! One of the best of the year so far, maybe even the best ! Not as good as their all time classic (and one of the milestones of AOR) 'Runaway', but good anyway and a MUST for every fan of pure, classic AOR ! The only thing I miss are a few rockers more, but the musianship and the vocals are nearly perfect. I also could have done it without the title track : indeed sung in perfect harmony, but a bit boring at the end of this disc. That's why it doesn't have the full six rating (and the missing of some more rockier stuff), but five and a half will do. No classic, but one that not one single melodic rock/AOR fan should miss ! GO FOR IT !

 

---

Post your opinion

You have to be registered and logged in to post your opinion. Log in.