“Black Tide” is the debut album from UK based AOR super-group WHITE SKIES formed by former Samson/First Strike vocalist Mick White, former Ya-Ya guitarist Ray Callcut and former Double Cross/Dante Fox keyboard player Pete Lakin.
Just prior to the start of the pandemic in 2020 Mick and Ray (who were old friends from the 80s) had discussed the idea of writing a pure AOR album very much in the style of the giants of the genre Journey, Foreigner and Toto. As the world entered lockdown the writing process began and it was clear from the first couple of songs that they had a natural songwriting partnership.
Ray suggested bringing in his longtime bandmate Pete as the songs were going to need a gifted keyboard player to really take them to the next level and the nucleus of the band was formed.
The band were very quickly offered a deal by German rock label Pride & Joy Music and will be released on the 4th November 2022… and believe me folks, this is one of the best AOR/Melodic Rock platters of the year…
The writing continued over the course of the next year with the tracks being honed down to twelve songs that the three musicians were satisfied were the best of the best they had written and the recording process continued in their separate home studios while the pandemic continued to grip the world. Finally the mixes were undertaken by Pete to painstaking detail and the album ‘Black Tide’ was completed in the Spring of 2022.
Prior to shooting the video for ‘What Do You Know About Love?’ White Skies added the talents of ex Blood Red Saints bass player Rob Naylor and ex Red White & Blues drummer Daz Lamberton.
With the line up now complete White Skies plan to tour the album extensively throughout 2023.
1. What You Know About Love?
2. Emily
3. Midnight Rendezvous
4. Kiss Me As I Say Goodbye
5. One Step Forward
6. When Worlds Collide
7. A Love Unjustified
8. Bring It On Back
9. Black Tide
10. Leave A Light
11. Takin' A Ride
12. Sleeping In The Fire
Mick White (lv)
Ray Callcut (g, bv)
Pete Lakin (k, bv)
Rob Naylor (b, bv)
Daz Lamberton (d, bv)
White Skies – Black Tide 2022+FLAC