Roko

Robbie Kohlmeyer - vocals, guitars
Marc Bugnard - guitars
Jurgen Beitel - keyboards
Andre Pasquier - bass
Ricky Lee - drums
Background
In my opinion, this 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 (Germany's answer to Toto, well sort of, they're a bit heavier than that though the parping keyboards reminded me more of Simon Chase), 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 eould 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', 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.