米アーカイヴィストとして希少盤の発掘を続けてきたBrandon McMahonが監修し、70〜80年代の埋もれた名曲を丁寧に掘り起こしたコンピレーション。Small Talk は、忘れられていたソフトロックやAORを中心に構成されたセレクション。知名度に頼らず、滑らかなヴォーカル、柔らかなギター、穏やかなリズムといった“音の質感”に焦点を当てて選ばれている。どの楽曲も派手さではなく、心地よさと余韻の美しさで聴かせるタイプのものばかりだ。 選曲を手がけた Brandon McMahon は、アメリカ・アリゾナを拠点にレア音源の保存・紹介を行ってきた人物で、本作でもその視点が強く反映されている。メロウなハーモニー、滑るようなギターリフ、落ち着いたテンポが共通し、70〜80年代特有の穏やかな空気をそのまま閉じ込めた内容となっている。 穏やかなソフトロックから都会的なAORまでを横断する構成は、派手なヒット曲とは異なる魅力を持つ“知られざる名曲”に焦点を当てたもの。オリジナル・アートワークを用いた仕様も含め、当時の空気感を丁寧に再現したコンピレーションに仕上がっている。 A1 Greg Bowman– SuzanneA2 Rick Steffen– Livin’ In The MiddleA3 Charmer – A Place In Your HeartA4 Bluejays– WarmthA5 Saffire – Oh RealleA6 Greg Boehme– Love Be KindB1 Allan Mackey– Gypsy WindB2 David Ireland– Small TalkB3 Dan Strimer– Back In My ArmsB4 David Hollen– Let It FlowB5 Gasper & Dukes– Paradise Island Small Talk Forager Records Featuring a selection of songs sourced from rare records of the 70s & 80s reissued for the first time. Premium case wrapped style sleeves for a period correct look & feel. Original Artwork by Zone Catalog. First collaborative release with Arizona archivist Brandon McMahon.A warm breeze drifts through the open cabin of the boat, carrying the scent of salt and sun-warmed teak as it stirs the linen curtains. The man moves easily, bare feet against the wooden floor, the slow rhythm of the harbor rocking beneath him. He flips through his records with a knowing touch, pulling out a favorite—something smooth and mellow, with buttery vocals and melodies that drift like a sailboat on calm waters. The needle drops, and honeyed guitar riffs spill into the air, effortless and sunlit. He reaches for the bottle of rum, the ice in his glass chiming softly as he pours, then adds a squeeze of lime, a lazy stir. Outside, the water glows in the last light of day, golden ripples stretching toward the horizon. He leans back against the cushioned bench, drink in hand, the music swirling around him like the evening breeze—unhurried, weightless, exactly where he wants to be.Small Talk brings together a carefully curated selection of long-forgotten, yet remarkably smooth and captivating soft rock and AOR tracks from the ‘70s and ‘80s, compiled by Brandon McMahon. These lesser-known songs are drenched in lush harmonies, dreamy guitar riffs, and mellow rhythms, capturing the essence of an era without the mainstream recognition. For those with an ear for the obscure and a taste for the subtle, Small Talk offers a fresh perspective on an era’s most overlooked gems.
