01. High Times
02. Can’t Be Right
03. Future Past
04. When You Love Someone
05. Here I Am
06. Beautiful Mystery
07. Break Me Down
08. End Game
09. Gypsy Road
10. Can’t Miss
11. Fight for Your Life
Michael Thompson -Guitar & Keys
Larry King – Vocals
Khari Parker – Drums
Alan Berliant – Bass
Guest Performers
John Blasucci – Keys
Dave Hiltebrand – Bass – When You Love Someone, Beautiful Mystery, Future Past, Here I Am & Break Me Down
Matt Walker – Drums – High Times
Sahara Thompson – Background Vocals – Can’t Miss
J.P. Delaire – Keys, Background Vocals, Sax – Can’t Miss
Michael Thompson is nowadays one of the leading players of the world. He was awarded the “Distinguished Alumni” award from his alma mater Berklee College of Music to commemorate his contributions to the music industry. Berklee’s program for the event noted that “he is widely regarded as being among the elite studio session players, and his amazing list of credits includes such prominent names as Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Celine n, ‘N Sync, Toni Braxton, Phil Collins, Rod Stewart, the Scorpions, Vince Neil, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bolton, Mariah Carey, Bette Midler, Madonna, Babyface, En Vogue, Gloria Estefan, Stanley Clarke and Ricky Martin.”
Originally from New York, Michael moved to Los Angelesin 1979 to begin a studio musician career. In 1988, after working to try and get a deal with his band Slang, he finally got signed by Geffen Records to release one album entitled “How Long”, under the Michael Thompson Band (M.T.B.) monicker.
On “How Long” more great studio musicians appeared as guests, in particular drummer-maestro Terry Bozzio, singer Moon Calhoun (ex The Strand), Pat Torpey (later on drummer with Mr Big), bassist Jimmy Haslip, John Elefante (Kansas), Toto’s Bobby Kimball and Great White associates Michael Lardie and Wyn Davis (who also produced the album). Songwriters would include, among others, AOR luminaries such as: Jeff Paris, Mark Spiro, Billy Trudel and Brett Walker.
As of today “How Long” is still regarded as one of the highest examples of hi-tech AOR / West Coast, with a superb production and immaculate songwriting. Reissued in 2007 with 3 bonus tracks, it started a relationship between Michael Thompson and Frontiers who brought the anticipated release of the new Michael Thompson Band album in early 2012.
This time Michael teamed up with the awesome singer Larry King from the band Soleil Moon. Larry brought a new and more rocking approach to the MTB sound but certainly the trademark elements of songwriting and melodies are still to be found in the new album “Future Past”. The production of the album is just flawless and “Future Past” is destined to become soon another AOR music classic. Get it!