(Westcoast / AOR) [CD] Tim Cashion - Find Us On The Dial - 2015, FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Released at the very end of past year only in Japan, TIM CASHION's "Find Us On The Dial" is the very definition of a "diamond in the rough." Originally recorded throughout various periods in 2005 and 2006, this endeavor was on its way to nowhere for a variety of reasons.
But these tracks, which had been internally shared amongst a carefully select network of people over the years, finally made it into CD thanks to P-Vine Records, an independent Japanese record label.
The influence of West Coast AOR runs deep in the souls of many career musicians. Ask any studio or touring musician about their inspirations and you’re bound to hear an answer that would include the talented players who laced the liner notes of the great albums from the '70s and '80s.
Tim Cashion is no exception.
For the past 15 years, Tim has provided keyboard and vocal support to the legendary band Grand Funk Railroad. Prior to that, he has toured with the likes of Takanaka, Robert Palmer, Jon Secada and Bob Seger.
Yet deep in his musical soul there lied a passion for West Coast AOR.
In 2005, Tim began to explore this musical path and created the tracks that became his personal Sargent Pepper’s titled “Find Us On The Dial.” The album sat in silence – until now...
After the first track, “Find Us On The Dial” instantaneously blew my mind.
Checking the album title gives you a clear innuendo about this CD; the radio-ready, FM music that ruled the airwaves in the late Seventies / Eighties.
This is the kind of music that made Eagles, Toto, Airplay, Steely Dan, Chicago, Keane and countless more ambassadors of the finest, delicious melodies created during those magic years.
Also, check the song titles; 'Deep In The Groove', 'East Coast Sun' or 'Lullaby' as example, all providing you the right idea about the music spread through its amazing melodies.
Despite of being recorded at various sessions, the album feel homogeneous and with a terrific, pristine production quality. Tim Cashion's vocals are smooth in the classy vein of the genre, and the musicians alongside him, top notch.
"Find Us On The Dial" is a wonderful slice of timeless West Coast AOR melodies, a little masterpiece of where new details, layers and delicate arrangements are discovered with every listen.
For Tim Cashion, this music is not an example of him trying to pay tribute to a specific genre - this is how his music organically comes through him. It was this deeply passionate reaction to the music that led to this project now being available for the very first time thanks to P-Vine Records in Japan.
"Find Us On The Dial" is the kind of album you can not miss 'cos soon will become a rarity. Is as essential as it gets, and is by far one of the very best true West Coast AOR albums from the last twenty years.

Tim Cashion: vocals, keyboards, drums
Brian Monroney, Dustin Hofsess: guitar
Kenny Long: bass, backing vocals
Tim Smith: bass
John Alexander, Marc Henderson: sax
Billy Lewis: backing vocals