Michael Schenker Billy Sheehan Michael Schenker Billy Sheehan/Studio Sessions 1979 Upgrade

The "legendary MSG" formed after Billy Sheehan left UFO/SCORPIONS. This rare studio album is being reissued. When introducing this album, it's essential to understand the true identity of the "legendary MSG." It refers to the original lineup that existed in 1979, before the production of their debut album, "God (Return of the Flying Arrow)." Centered around the familiar golden duo of Michael and Gary Barden, the band's rhythm section consisted of two Americans: Billy Sheehan (then of TALAS) and Denny Carmassi (formerly of MONTROSE). They entered the studio as a new band and began writing songs for their debut album, but Michael was struggling with alcohol problems at the time. This legendary super band fell apart before it could even be released. Despite this, a few studio demos remain. The five takes, including four previously unreleased tracks, included as a bonus on the remastered "God" album are particularly well-known, and some may have rejoiced at the miraculous official release. While those five official tracks are generally considered the entirety of the "Phantom MSG," in fact, there's more to it than that. Collectors are especially acclaimed for the extended demo unearthed by the prestigious Bondage label, beloved as "proof of the legendary MSG sound." This album, a completely upgraded master with a completely different sound, permanently preserves the Bondage master... but not the original. While the recording itself is the same extended demo, it's a recently unearthed DAT master, a super upgrade with exceptional sound. While this album is based on a DAT sourced from an overseas source, the resulting sound is entirely on another level. The Bondage label version, to put it bluntly, is a "thank goodness for listening at all," with a hissing noise throughout and a rough, gritty sound. There are also some tape kinks and random patch misalignments. However, this newly discovered master release has almost no such flaws. It's a beautiful sound that approaches the official bonus track from "God" (though, to reiterate, it's a different demo performance). While some might imagine a remastering upgrade, even modern digital technology would be unable to achieve the same level of refinement. The mastering difference is truly remarkable, and it's a whole new level of realism. This legendary jam session, where super-personalities collide, is depicted in this completely reborn sound, as a studio recording by a miraculous superband. While the official demo for the remastered "God" album was already in its formative stages, this release is from an earlier stage. It's a nine-take jam session, with three of them (Jam #7, #8, and #9) featuring Gary's vocals. This is not even on the official demo, and remains a treasure trove, unreleased to this day. The remaining six takes are trio instrumentals. It feels as though the songs were developed by jamming around riffs and phrases conceived by Michael. As a result, you can hear the seeds of "Looking Out From Nowhere" and "Feels Like a Good Thing," which would appear on "God," and enjoy even more primitive versions of the four unreleased tracks that first saw the light of day on the remastered album: "Just a Lover," "Breakout," "Tales of Mystery," and "Get Up and Get Down." It's simply amazing. Even though it's still just a jam, the player's individuality is fully revealed, precisely because it's a jam. The captivating Flying V sound roars, and the sense of time and subtle obbligations are completely Michael-esque. What's more, it's the brilliant "Michael" that directly connects to "Space Conquest" and "God." And the fact that "Billy" is involved in it is irresistible. As a composition demo, it's true, so it's not in battle mode like the DAVID LEE ROTH BAND or MR. BIG. Still, there's no simple root playing; instead, there's a deluge of melodic phrases. Contrasting phrases and variations that provide ideas for Michael's motifs are endlessly poured in. Pete Way also had an outstanding sense of melody, but Billy is no match for him. Of course, Carmassi wasn't just in business mode, but in earnest, providing plenty of entrancing ideas. His grooves are reminiscent of later works like Heart and Coverdale/Page, and his drumming is so impressive it makes you wonder if he was even better suited to the role than Simon Phillips or Cozy Powell. This is truly a studio album by the legendary MSG. This is a miraculous album, where the legendary demos have been upgraded to a completely different level. This stereo soundboard allows you to fully appreciate the nuances of these super players' talents. This is a super album, where rare talents intertwine, even in the rock world. This is a studio album by the legendary MSG, formed with Billy Sheehan and Denny Carmassi. While the demos have been known since 1990, the sound, recently unearthed from the DAT master, is a completely different experience. This is a treasured album featuring approximately 45 minutes of jamming, performed separately from the official bonus track version, featuring super players clashing head-on. Recorded at The Manor Studio, Shipton-on-Cherwell, Oxfordshire, UK in 1979. STEREO SBD (from Original Masters) UPGRADE (45:29) 1. Jam #1 (Looking Out From Nowhere) 2. Jam #2 (Just A Lover) 3. Jam #3 (Breakout) 4. Jam #4 (Tales Of Mystery) 5. Jam #5 (Get Up And Get Down) 6. Jam #6 (Feels Like A Good Thing) 7. Jam #7 8. Jam #8 9. Jam #9 (Take 2 Of Jam #8) Michael Schenker - guitar Billy Sheehan - bass Denny Carmassi - drums Gary Barden - vocals Gary Edwards - engineer