Dwayne Ford-Needless Freaking (1981)

We are looking at one of the gems of so-called West Coast rock, a style influenced by Californian melodic rock. "Needless Freaking" is the work of one of the most unknown musicians in Europe, but not in the United States and Canada, where he is originally from. His beginnings date back to the early 1970s, playing in bands like Los Nomads and working with Ronnie Hawkins' band. Throughout that decade, he recorded several albums, including "Friends With Bearfoot" (1973) and "Passing Time" (1975). In the early 1980s, Ford surrounded himself with a great lineup of musicians from the genre, such as the members of Toto: Mike Porcaro, Steve Lukather, and Jeff Porcaro, the group Airplay, and the renowned musician David Roberts, among many others. From these friendships and collaborations emerged "Needless Freaking", a perfect album of Californian sounds, characterized by great elegance, perfection, and sophistication. Songs like the exquisite "Lovin' and Losin' You", "The Best Will Survive", and "Am I Ever Gonna Find Your Love", the soulful "Stranger in Paradise", and the rocking "The Hurricane" and "Midnight Ride" make up a work as delightful as it is superb, a prime example of top-notch AOR. Although he would continue to release sporadic albums in the following years, this guitarist, singer, keyboardist, and composer would dedicate himself to composing film scores, in addition to working as a sought-after session musician for countless artists on the American West Coast.