With a new appearance of JEFF SCOTT SOTO on any album / project, like the new Ellefson / Soto released today, many readers of this website ask for more music from the prolific vocalist. Here’s Jeff’s solo album ”Prism” in its limited ‘Special Edition‘ including 6 extra tracks, now pretty rare and being sold for over 70 USD at Amazon.
“Prism” is the debut solo album by Jeff Scott Soto originally released in 2002. This particular version is a 2009 re-issue by “Frontiers Records” – beyond its original eleven songs, this new version features six bonus tracks two of them being live versions of Jeff’s hits “Stand up” and “4U”.
The album opens on the outstanding melodic rocker “Eyes of Love” but develops into a diverse collection bringing to font elements of funk, blues and soul music which – all wrapped by a ”rocking production”.
At the end of the Nineties, rumors were flying that Jeff Scott Soto was going to leave The Boogie Knights and start concentrating on his solo career. Those rumors turned out true. Jeff started working with his Talisman bandmates on a side project called ‘Humanimal’ which was singed to Z-Records.
Jeff was negotiating with Z-Records for a solo album and when things looked good and ready to go, Jeff and Z-Records split. Luckily, it wasn’t on bad terms as he continued with Humanimal until they had issues with Z-Records and that band was done.
Meanwhile, back on January 25, 2002, Frontiers Records had a press release that talked about them signing Jeff for his new solo album and if that was enough, they gained the rights to his debut solo album, ‘Love Parade’ and re-issued it as well.
The new solo album was to be called ‘The Calm B4 The Storm’ and as Jeff has said, his earlier career was the Calm and what was coming after is The Storm. If Calm is being apart of 30+ albums over almost 20 years, I can’t wait to see what The Storm brings.
However, that name was changed to ”Prism” in parts due to where it was recorded, Prism Studios, and Jeff stating that is about a person that reflects many different lights. The album was released in December 4, 2002.
The new album was going to be done in the style of say Journey and Survivor which means it is power midtempo / ballad heavy and not in a bad way. The songs were mostly done over the past few years for various projects that they didn’t quite fit so were never used and some new and all but one written by Soto.
Jeff played most of the instruments and sang, but he was worried the label might not like that fact so he credited numerous fake people on the album. First is someone by the name of Michael Scott which is just Jeff’s middle name and his son’s middle name put together.
He also credited two names that appeared in Jerky Boy’s episodes, Sam Isanogud and Mikos Scarbacci. There was also Jay Michael another reference to his son as well as Anthony Papa who is real, but didn’t actually play. That doesn’t mean there aren’t other musicians on the album because we do get Gary Schutt, Glenn Hughes and numerous Soto friends.
The album kicks off with the rocker, “Eyes of Love”, which starts with a quick a cappella vocal from Jeff and a blistering guitar riff that follows by Howie Simon and a great lead solo by Gary Schutt. It is melodic rock AOR music at its best as Jeff slays on the vocals with such a melodic sound. Jeff is on bass, keyboards and drums and all sound amazing. A really rocking track and great way to kick off the album.
Then we go in to what might be one of the best ballads Jeff has ever written with “Heaven Knows”. With keyboard and guitar accompaniment, Jeff’s vocals soars through a song that Survivor would’ve taken to #1 on the charts back in the 80’s. The chorus is so engaging and contagious. The high notes are unreal and so smooth. Truly a brilliant track and one that will stick with you long after it’s over.
Another ballad is up next with “Don’t Come Easy” and starts off a little haunting and Jeff sings softly but still with so much power. Another track easily fitting in to the Journey mold or even Survivor again… hell even Foreigner could’ve had a hit with it.
Next up is “Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye” with more keyboards and a midpaced, slow melody. It has that power build at the chorus. Then we get the funkiest track of the whole bunch which makes sense as it is a duet with the Voice of Rock, Glenn Hughes. The song is a Sly & the Family Stone cover of “I Want To Take You Higher” and Soto loves his Sly. The funky bass work on the album, surprisingly isn’t Glenn but is Doug McRoy from The Boogie Knights. The song is my favorite song on the album as it is a total blast and plus Glenn baby!! It gives us the variety the album needed.
“Holding On” is up next. It opens with keyboards and then Soto joins in and sings so heartfelt and tenderly. As the full band kicks in the song picks up momentum and turns in to a sort of power ballad. It has some great harmonies, some nice guitar work and overall is a great showcase for his vocals.
Then with “2 Late 4 Goodbyes” we get a synth opener with some cool, spacey, airy sounds and some little guitar riffs sporadically thrown in for background noise. Then the band kicks in with some heavy keyboards and it could be an 80’s track for sure. Not quite a rocker, nor a ballad. A very radio-friendly AOR song with its catchy chorus.
“Til the End of Time” is back to the piano/keyboard power ballad territory. It is a little overly dramatic as it is trying to pull at the heart strings. When the power kicks in, the song lifts up to more a rocker, however, still has that tenderness in the vocals. Jeff sounds great.
“How Long” opens as more of a rocker with a cool riff and the energy we needed at this point. The chorus is perfection… a Journey inspired chorus with great harmonies. It is memorable and contagious and catchy as hell. Some great guitar work by Jeff and Gary Schutt on lead and I like the drums as well (by Jeff). Finally another rocking track as there aren’t enough on here.
“By Your Side” is an acoustic song and Jeff’s vocals are freaking unbelievable on this one. His vocals are so smooth and delivery is effortlessly. The harmonies are sick and the sonics of the song are so different than the other ballads on the album. Really slick and stunning especially the acoustic work which was done by Jody Whitesides and Howie Simon.
The final track is “Don’t Walk Away”, a track with a soft opening and some nice percussion sounds popping in and out. Jeff sounds natural, relaxed here.
The bonuses are very good too; ‘Good Love’ has a lot of soul on it where of course, Jeff shines, and there’s great guitar work, ‘2012’ is poppy and sweet, and the Journey cover of ‘Send Her My Love’ is stupendous.
Everything Jeff Scott Soto is involved is great, or at least interesting. “Prism” is marvelous, for us one of his best works as solo or in a band.
Highly Recommended
01 – Eyes Of Love
02 – Heaven Knows
03 – Don’t Come Easy
04 – Don’t Wanna Say Goodbye
05 – I Want To Take You Higher (Duet with Glenn Hughes)
06 – Holding On
07 – Too Late To Say Goodbye
08 – Till The End Of Time
09 – How Long
10 – By Your Side
11 – Don’t Walk Away
BONUS TRACKS:
12 – Good Love
13 – 2012
14 – Send Her My Love
15 – Again 2 Be Found [Live]
16 – Stand Up [Live]
17 – 4 U [Live]
Jeff Scott Soto: Vocals, Bass, Keys
Glenn Hughes: guest Vocals
Howie Simon: Guitars
Gary Schutt: Guitar, Keys
Alex Papa: Drums
Michael Scott: Bass
Jay Michael: Guitars,Bass
Alex Llorens: Guitar
Mikos Scarbacci: Guitars
Anthony Papa: Bass
Doug Mcroy: Bass
Jason Freese: Sax
Brian Young: Guitars
San Isanogud: Keys
George Bernhardt: Guitars
Jody Whiteside: Acoustic 12 String
Steve Acosta: Guitars
Rebecca Penrose Soto: Cowbell