Album Notes

Rick Manwiller spent 18+ years as the keyboardist/guitarist/vocalist for MCA Records' pop-rock band Dakota, who's premiere effort was 1984's "Runaway", produced by ex-Chicago drummer Danny Seraphine and famed engineer Humberto Gatica.

Rick stayed with the band through the late 80's and 90's as the band release several excellent melodic rock CD's that got raves, particularly in the still-solid-rock-crazy Europe and Japanese markets.

"Chocolate Detox" is Rick's third solo effort, following 1995's "Another Fine Mesozoic" and 1998's well-received "Living At Square One".

Rick produces, engineers and performs most of his own tracks, along with help from several top-shelf studio players in his adopted home of Nashville, including:

>> Session guitar giant Bobby Messano
>> Show Dog Recording artist Mica Roberts
>> Nashville touring guitarist Rob Daniels
>> Multi-multi-instrumentalist Jake Clayton
>> Indie jazz/fusion guitarist Tom Hemby
>> Blues guitar goddess/vocalist GG Amos

The result is an interesting, partial 'concept album' collection of several styles of pop-rock, country, jazz and heavy pop-rock that displays Rick's ability to morph convincingly between many styles. Comparisons range from Phil Collins to Sting to Steely Dan to even Frank Zappa on the behind the scenes lust epic, "Rokki the Porn Star."

From the Love of Politics to the Politics of Love, "Chocolate Detox" just rox. - Tristan Fabriani