ROB MORATTI – Renaissance [Japan Edition +1 bonus] (2019),MP3+FLAC

This Japanese Edition includes an exclusive bonus track, the very good AOR midtempo ‘Don’t Walk Away’.
For the album, Rob worked alongside some the best songwriters and performers in the AOR genre such as Torben Enevoldsen (FATE) on guitars, Fredrik Bergh (SEVEN, STREET TALK) on keyboards, Stu Reid (FINAL FRONTIER) on drums, and legendary Tony Franklin (BLUE MURDER, THE FIRM) on the Monster Bass.

Opener ‘Answer of Life’ starts with an atmospheric intro, then bursts into a very Journey-like song. Right from the off there is no doubting the quality of this guy’s voice with his crooning and the soaring heights he reaches. ‘Don’t Give Up’ follows very much in the same vein in terms of sound but takes the pace up a notch or two with Rob really hitting the high notes.
Next is midtempo melodic rocker ‘Edge of Love’, one of the highlights, and if anybody bothered to release singles properly then this would be the one from this album.

‘I’m Back’ quickly follows, back onto the AOR territory, inspired by the ’80s yet refreshed in sound production. Rob’s undoubted quality as a vocalist shines through on ‘Lost and Lonely’, a melodic number with some magic on it.
One of my fav from the album is the keyboaRd-driven AOR of ‘I’m Flying High’, a classy song with melodious guitars and soaring harmony vocals.
Rob then rock it up with ‘There’s No Denying’, then ‘To Be An Honest Man’ sees the return of dut-dut keyboards into the mix, again with an AOR sheen but with a 2000’s feeling.

“Renaissance” is one of Moratti’s best albums, especially on the strong of the songwriting. His solo debut ‘Victory’ is still my favorites, with this new one coming closer.
It’s all classy AOR / Melodic Rock, done with style, good production and featuring one of the best voices in the business.

1. You Are The One
2. Let Me Be The One
3. Best of Me
4. Lift You Up
5. Hold On To Love
6. I Let You In
7. It’s Time To Go
8. Many Come Home
9. I Don’t Want To Wait Forever
10. It Hurts To Be I Love
JAPAN BONUS TRACK:
11. Don’t Walk Away

Rob Moratti – vocals
Torben Enevoldsen – guitars
Fredrik Bergh – keyboards
Stu Reid – drums
Tony Franklin – bass

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