Hit the Switch

Description

Hit the Switch is the sole album by the American soft-rock duo Pantano Salsbury (John Pantano and Ron Salsbury, both of The J.C. Power Outlet fame), released on Solid Rock Records in 1978, through the Jubilation Group distribution arm of Myrrh Records, a division of Word. The album was recorded by Stewart Whitmore at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio in North Hollywood, California; with Larry Norman producing and arranging. Strings arranged and conducted by Tom Howard.

As was the case for several albums released on the Solid Rock label, Sides One and Two were each given a title and a theme. On Hit the Switch, Side One was titled, “ROCK” and Side Two was titled, “AND ROLL.” This signified, of course, that the heavier, more rock-oriented songs were all on Side One, while Side Two contained the softer pop and ballads.

HIT THE SWITCH, PANTANO/SALSBURY – Jubilation Group SRA 2008

All the songs contained on this album were written by John Pantano and Ron Salsbury. Each tune attests to the fact that rock music can be tastefully performed with gospel lyrics. Production by Larry Norman is strong yet doesn’t overshadow vocals. Favorite cuts include «Soul Seeker», «I Need You» and «Magic Of The Moonlight». [Record World, March 18, 1978 (Gospel Album Picks section)]

John Pantano and Ron Salsbury were the main dudes behind the JC Power Outlet, who cranked out two classic slabs of raw, uproarious Jesus music in the early ’70s. Linking up with Larry Norman for this session, the boys smoothed out their rough edges, attempting to be taken more seriously as rock artists. The end results are mixed. «Hold On» and «Soul Seeker» are both decent mid-tempo funk-edged jams, more progressive than anything they’d done previously, allowing some good stretched-out guitar soloing opportunities for Pantano (is that a bit of talkbox I hear?). The lively opener «I’m Just A Record» also exudes a fair amount of Norman-esque boogie r&r energy (not surprising since Larry co-wrote the track). Much of the album, however, checks in on the mellow side – sometimes very mellow, with two consisting almost entirely of ballads. Tracks like «People Tend To Forget», «Lover Of My Soul» and «Magic Of The Moonlight» are fine examples of soft rock, but if you’re expecting more JC Power Outlet grunge look elsewhere. Larry Norman, Tom Howard and Randy Stonehill appear on backing vocals. [Ken Scott, The Archivist, 4th edition]

LP tracklist:

Side One – Rock
A1. “I’m Just A Record” – 4:18
A2. “Soul Seeker” – 6:17
A3. “Hold On” – 5:37
A4. “I Need You” – 4:06

Side Two – and Roll
B1. “People Tend To Forget” – 4:50
B2. “Lover Of My Soul” – 3:39
B3. “Magic Of The Moonlight” – 5:47
B4. “To Be Near You” – 4:30
B5. “I Don’t Wanna Wander” – 5:48

Note: Simultaneously released on 8-track tape, cassette, and 12-inch vinyl LP by Solid Rock Records, with the vinyl edition housed in a gatefold sleeve. Solid Rock Records also released a two-sided 7-inch vinyl promo single in 1977 featuring two album tracks, “Lover Of My Soul” and “I Don’t Wanna Wander” (b/w). Available at Bandcamp: https://pantanosalsbury.bandcamp.com/album/hit-the-switch-deluxe-edition

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Gatefold Cover Artwork

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TrueTunes @45RPM, July 28, 2023: John Pantano (Pantano-Salsbury) on their 1977 Larry Norman produced LP Hit The Switch.

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CREDITS. Produced and arranged by Larry Norman. Strings arranged and conducted by Tom Howard. Engineered by Stewart Whitmore. Recorded at Mama Jo’s Recording Studio, North Hollywood, California. Mastered at ABC. Pre-production recording was done at Solid Rock. Photography, Album Design, etc. by Larry Norman. Graphic Production by Liza McDonald.

Musicians: John Pantano (Vocals, Acoustic and Electric Guitars, Harmonica, Talk Box on track A3), Ron Salsbury (Vocals, Acoustic Guitar), Jeffrey David Hooven (Piano), Tom Howard (Fender Rhodes Piano), David Coy (Bass), Peter Johnson (Drums, Percussion), Bruce Neal (Percussion). Background Vocals: John Pantano, Ron Salsbury, Larry Norman, Randy Stonehill, Tom Howard.