Without Walls

After commercial success of his solo debut, mainly because of “Maniac”, Sembello continued to contribute to movie soundtracks. In 1984, “Gremlins...Mega Madness” for Steven Spielberg’s Ambling Production movie ‘Gremlins”, then “Gravity” for Ron Dante directed hit movie “Coccon” followed in 1985.
Thus, A&M Records seemed to have high expectation for Sembello’s second solo album featuring “Gravity”.
Tracks shown on the backside of the original US Vinyl was as below ( see the second photo);
(Side A) 1. Dangerous 2. Last To Know 3. The Picture 4. Funkabilly Swing 5. Gravity
(Side B) 1. Is This The Way To Paradise 2. Angelina 3.Wonder Where Your Are 4. Burn It Up 5. Hysterical.
However, the vinyl did have different tracks on it. "Angelina" and "Hysterical" were deleted and instead "What You Really Want" was on it. Only USA cassette and Japanese CD version had "The Picture" and "Angelina", which are 2 tracks among 3 deleted tracks. (see the fourth photo). As far as I know, the later press USA vinyl was with the corrected artwork (see the third photo).

Speaking about the deleted track “Hysterical”, as of January 2021, I did not know someone got the vinyl with it. However, the song was recorded by Miki Asakura, Japanese female singer on the album “Love Again” released on 5 May 1985. The song was composed by Steve Dudas with Dick Rudolph. And Miki Asakura sang Japanese lyrics version as ‘Ano Mune Ni Moichido (あの胸にもう一度)”.
Michael Sembello and Danny Sembello co-wrote originall English lyrics, thus their name was not credited on Miki Asakura’s version.

Lastly, another fact to clarify the reason why two different Japanese versions were released in 1986. When the album was released in April 1986, A&M Records albums were licensed to Alpha Records in Japan. Due to the ending the license contract between A&M and Alpha records, Canyon Records became new A&M business partner in Japan. Hence, in August 1986, Sembello’s “Without Wallls” was re-released in Japan. (see the fourth photo, which you might read D32Y3035 rather than 32XB77. This one is not Alpha version but Canyon version.)

Release Date: 21 August, 1986 (USA) / 25 April, 1986 (Japan)
Label : A&M Records, USA (SP5044) / Alpha Records, Japan (Vinyl: AMP28150, CD: 32XB77)

Tracks:
- Vinyl
1. What You Really Want
2. Last To Know
3. Funkabilly Swing
4. Is This The Way To Paradise
5. Burn It Up
6. Tear Down The Walls
7. Gravity (Special Dance Mix)
8. Wonder Where You Are
9. Dangerous

- Cassette (USA) / CD (Japan)
1. What You Really Want
2. Last To Know
3. Funkabilly Swing
4. Is This The Way To Paradise
5. Burn It Up
6. Angelina
7. Tear Down The Walls
8. Gravity (Special Dance Mix)
9. Wonder Where You Are
10. Dangerous
11. The Picture

Producer: Richard Rudolph, Michael Sembello.

Michael Sembello: Vocals, Guitars, Keyboards

- Musicians -
Guitars: Steve Rippley, Bud Rizzo
Bass: Richard Rudolph
Saxophone: David Boruff
Horns: Herb Alpert
Drums: Vinnie Colaiuta
Synth Programming: Dennis Matkosky, Steve Porcaro
Percussion: Ron Powell
Backing Vocals: Bobby Caldwell, Cruz Sembello, Danny Sembello

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