Description
Mainstream is the fifth studio album the American singer, songwriter, keyboardist, and producer Michael Omartian and his wife, lyricist and vocalist Stormie Omartian, released on Sparrow Records in 1982, with distribution by MCA Records. The album was recorded by John Guess at Rhema Studios and Hollywood Sound Recorders in Hollywood, California; with Michael Omartian producing and arranging for Rhema Productions. Mixed by Guess. Music written by Michael Omartian with lyrics by his wife Stormie Omartian.
Mainstream was included among the Best Albums of 1982 by CCM Magazine, on a list featuring thirteen albums.
MICHAEL & STORMIE OMARTIAN – Mainstream, Sparrow 1060. Produced by Michael Omartian.
The Omartian team have created a fine middle-ground blend of modern synthesizer rock and contemporary MOR that avoids the indulgent pitfalls of both styles. Production and crystalline vocals create aural epiphanies on «The Calling» and «Believing For The Best In You», with Stormie singing, and Michael’s vocals and melodies are at their peak on «Man Out Of Time» and «Give It Up». [Billboard Magazine, October 2, 1982, Top Album Picks column – Gospel section (Survey for week ending 10/2/82)]
Ever since the release of his first solo album in 1974, Michael Omartian has been a highly venerated artist, producer, and arranger in Christian circles. His work in pop music, particularly with Christopher Cross, has made him one of the most in-demand people in the music business. He doesn’t need to do Christian music, therefore it is obvious his only reason for doing it is ministry.
His earlier solo albums, plus ‘Seasons of the Soul‘ (with Stormie), were ahead of their time, almost to the point of being avant-garde. They recieved some criticism for lyrical vagueness, but musically they were spectacular. On the other hand, 1980’s ‘The Builder‘ was (to me) both a lyrical and musical disappointment. While not a bad album by today’s standards (which are too low), it was far below Michael’s and Stormie’s capabilities. Ironically, it outsold the other three albums combined.
Now comes ‘Mainstream’ (Sparrow SPR-1060), one of those albums which, the more you hear it, the more you like it. Stormie has rebounded with lyrics which, in some cases, are so full of beauty, grace and content that they could stand alone as poetry (especially «The Calling»). And Michael has gone the distance too (or perhaps he got a bigger budget). But without belaboring the whys and wherefores, suffice it to say that Mr. Music has loaded this album with brilliant and absolutely dazzling keyboard work. He has created rich, multi-textured array of sounds which make interesting listening and wear well.
The title song, «Mainstream» is the Omartian’s personal “State-of-the-Union” message, and along with «Praise His Name and See It Happen», provides some of the LP’s most exciting music. «Man Out of Time» sounds so much like the Eagle’s «Desperado» that it’s a little distracting, but you forget about that when «Come and Give It All You Got», comes on with its Jamacian-flavoring performed “with a dancing heart and a pair of happy feet”.
While the cover (which is conceptually good) may have failed somewhat in its execution, the record is quite good and comes highly recommended by this reviewer. [John W. Styll, CCM, October 1982]
> Apple Music (https://music.apple.com/us/album/mainstream/716428283)
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “The Calling” – 8:04
A2. “Mainstream” – 4:29
A3. “Man Out Of Time” – 3:36
A4. “Come And Give It All You’ve Got” – 3:58
Side Two
B1. “Praise His Name And See It Happen” – 3:08
B2. “Give It Up” – 3:30
B3. “Believing For The Best In You” – 3:25
B4. “One Song Is Not Enough” (feat. Philip Bailey) – 4:06
B5. “It Is Done” – 4:107
Note: Simultaneously released on cassette and 12-inch vinyl LP by Sparrow Records. Later re-issued on CD.
CREDITS. Produced and Arranged by Michael Omartian. Recorded at Rhema Studios and Hollywood Sound Recorders in Hollywood, CA. Engineered and mixed by John Guess. Mastered by Doug Sax at The Mastering Lab in Hollywood, CA. Concertmaster: Assa Drori. Art Direction by Stan Evenson. Photography by Harry Langdon. Cover painting by Jacques Devaud. Music written by Michael Omartian. Lyrics written by Stormie Omartian.
Musicians: Michael Omartian (Acoustic Piano – tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5; Electric Fender Rhodes Piano on track B4; Synthesizer – tracks: A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4, B5; Percussion on track A2; Drums on track A3; Linn Drum Programming on tracks B2 and B4), Michael Harriton (Flute on tracks A1 and A4; Piccolo Flute on track A4), Jerry Hey (Flugelhorn on track A3; Trumpet on track A4; Horns on track B4), Kim Hutchcroft (Soprano Saxophone on tracks A3 and A4; Horns on track B4), Marty Walsh (Guitar on tracks A2 and B5), Michael Landau (Electric Guitar – tracks: B1, B2, B3; Acoustic Guitar on track B3), Bud Nuanez (Guitar on track A4), Larry Carlton (Guitar Solo on track B2), Mark Leonard (Bass on tracks B1 and B3; Steinberger Bass on track B5), Abraham Laboriel (Bass on track A4), Mike Baird (Drums – tracks: A2, B1, B3, B5), Bob Wilson (Drums on track A4), Paulinho Da Costa (Percussion on tracks A4 and B3; Congas on tracks A4 and B2; Cabasa on track B2), Robert Greenidge (Steel Drums on track A4). Background Vocals: Christopher Cross (A1), Michael Omartian (A3, B2, B3), Stormie Omartian (A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B5), Jay Gruska (A2, B1, B2, B5), Myrna Matthews (A2, B1, B5), Terry Stilwell Harriton (A2, B1, B5), Philip Bailey (Soloist and Backing Vocals on track B4).
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