MPG - MPG (Deluxe Edition)

[Stefan]

 

 

From MelodicRock Classics:

MelodicRock Classics is thrilled to partner with classic 80s pomp/AOR actMPG to bring fans the first ever official CD release of the band's 1981 debut album, originally released by A&M Records.

This special Deluxe Edition expands the original album with 4 early demos, but then on a second disc, jumps forward into work recorded for a never released second studio album, plus other tracks demoed over the years since. The guys have always stayed in touch and this culminates with the addition of a brand-new song – “Stop The World” - recorded last year and mixed only a month ago.

JK Northrup has mastered the new song as well as remastering the original album and all bonus tracks.
The band has delivered some liner notes about the album and the extra tracks, plus a range of exclusive never before seen photos, all included in the accompanying booklet.

MPG is:
KIM SMITH - Guitar and Vocals
DAVID MIKEAL - Guitar and Vocals
MICHAEL BOLT - Drums and Vocals
STEVE LOCKLIN - Bass and Vocals

Album Produced By Tom Knox And Steve Carey

MPG Deluxe edition will be released July 28 by MRC

MPG was originally a well known group circa late 1970's in the Atlanta Georgia area called The Miles Brothers. They were headed by Steve Carey on Lead Vocals and Keyboards. He wrote most all of the original music and was supported by Michael Bolt on Drums, Steve Locklin on Bass and Kim Smith on Guitar. The Miles Brothers management thought that the group possibly needed a little more rock influence and a lead guitarist that could possibly sing. So soon after David Mikeal was added to the lineup. The group continued to be called The Miles Brothers and kept their strong R&B roots clearly evident in their rhythm section. A lot of new material was written and record labels were showing up regularly to watch the group. A&M Records ended up being the label that signed The Miles Brothers in 1980. That's when the record label told the band they would have to change their name The group looked over a lot of names and decided they would like to keep Miles in the name somehow. That's how MPG (Miles Per Gallon) was picked as the new name.

The second disc contains a lot of the songs that didn't make the official A&M Records release. It also contains some of the songs that were demos for the 2nd A&M album release that never happened. The recordings range from state of the art to 4 track demos at home studios. The vast majority of these songs were again written by Steve Carey along with 2 new additions from David Mikeal (Front Page News, Number One) Some of these tunes were the bands favorites but didn't make the cut.
Some extra side notes: Worn Out Shoes, Number One and That's Easy were recorded at a weekend band reunion in the summer of 1999 at Steve Carey's home in Atlanta minus Kim Smith. Then extra guitar tracks were added by David Mikeal at his studio in Central Florida soon after. Stop The World was recorded recently in May 2022 with the same 4 members at Daphne Street Studios in Mobile Alabama during another 2 day short reunion.
Steve Carey: “I wrote “Stop The World” in the 90's, sort of a companion piece to “Goodbye Cruel World” from our 1st album. Both songs reflected my sadness that despite amazing advances in communication, technology, etc. people seemed to be drifting apart and less tolerant of each other.”

David Mikeal: “Some of the early days demo songs contained on this CD set were recorded at the bungalow and with recording equipment you would now need to carbon date to ascertain the year made.”

Track Listing:

Disc 1: The 1981 Album
01. Too Many Questions 3:55
02. Workin' Overtime 3:22
03. Best Thing I Never Had 4:07
04. Goodbye Cruel World 4:02
05. Why Me 2:58
06. Get Yours Tonight 4:42
07. Hurt Me 3:02
08. Can I Come Over Tonight 3:33
09. Always Something 4:06

Miles Bros. Early Muscle Shoals Versions:
10. Too Many Questions 4:51
11. Goodbye Cruel World (4 Track Demo) 5:07
12. Hurt Me 4:06
13. Always Something (4 Track Demo) 4:20

Disc 2: Unreleased Work
01. Stop The World (New Song 2022) 6:43
02. Worn Out Shoes 5:05
03. That's Easy 4:35
04. Life In The Arena 3:01
05. Toys For Boys 3:28
06. Front Page News 3:23
07. Can't Miss Love 3:57
08. Feels So Good4:18
09. Number One 3:31
10. Nobody There 4:17
11. Somebody Somewhere 5:31
12. Bedtime Story 3:37
13. Worn Out Shoes (8 Track Demo) 4:46
14. High School Confidential (Miles Bros. Early 4 Track Version) 5:32
15. Saved My Life (Miles Bros. Live 1979 Bistro Club (2 Track) 04:45
16. Some Other Time (Miles Bros. Live 1979 Bistro Club Atlanta (2 Track) 5:14

 

 

 

 

Edited January 11 by Stefan

[KarpetRydOFunk]

7 hours ago, Stefan said:

MPG is:
KIM SMITH - Guitar and Vocals
DAVID MIKEAL - Guitar and Vocals
MICHAEL BOLT - Drums and Vocals
STEVE LOCKLIN - Bass and Vocals

Then who's the fifth guy in the photo?

[Jez]

This is a bit of a lost classic old school AOR/Pomp album and a very good one it is too. I bought the Retrospect version of this years back, but will  definitely be upgrading to this version...looks very good indeed with all the bonuses. 

[nyoilers]

39 minutes ago, KarpetRydOFunk said:

Then who's the fifth guy in the photo?

Since I read the article I would guess Steve Carey

[auslander]

I wish they also remastered the cover photo though as they all look like they have stepped off a gay porno movie.

[KarpetRydOFunk]

7 hours ago, auslander said:

I wish they also remastered the cover photo though as they all look like they have stepped off a gay porno movie.

Is this a problem?

[melodicrock]

8 hours ago, auslander said:

I wish they also remastered the cover photo though as they all look like they have stepped off a gay porno movie.

LOL

Its far from the worst out there

[melodicrock]

10 hours ago, nyoilers said:

Since I read the article I would guess Steve Carey

It is...fixing that.