The Best of Me by David Foster

A 1985 Japanese release with early instrumental renditions of famous hits he has had a part in producing up to that date. In places it is perhaps a little more sparsely produced than say 1990's 'Rechordings', but it is, by nature of his command of piano an keys and arrangements, a brilliant calling card. Stand out tracks are 'Whatever we imagine' and 'Mornin' with lovely use of solo synths replacing vocals and of course , THAT trademark piano touch that he possesses. His arranging skills are apparent on this rare album and should be played to any aspiring ballad writer as a lesson in how to back your sound and build layers BEFORE slapping a vocal on it. In his case, they seem to hold up as instrumentals as well as they do as vocal. Yes, there is a certain 80's sound to the whole thing but not in a terrible TR707, Jupiter 8/ DX7 type way as he has spent a lot of time editing voices to be better than that but still, it's a great taste of what was to come with The Corrs, or Celine Dion a few years later. Rare, yes, Curio?, no. Beautifully played and with some very cool guest artists on guitars, drums and bass etc.You'll love it. ℗ 2002 Westwood Records