Marco Mendoza has been entertaining us for decades with his amazing fretless bass playing talent and soulful singing. Most of us aren’t familiar with Marco because he’s always been a sensational support player and not necessarily the one centered under the spotlight, though he should have been. He’s been in such demand working for other big name artists over the years that he hasn’t had the time to work on, let alone finish his own projects until just recently. This first solo effort from Marco has proven to me that paying his dues working with some of the best of the best – John Sykes (Blue Murder, Thin Lizzy, Sykes), Ted Nugent, David Coverdale (Whitesnake), to name a few - has been a positive influence on his solo endeavors. It’s been a long time coming but it’s definitely been worth the wait to hear just how versatile Marco is by his own merits.
Entitled “Live For Tomorrow”, Marco gets down and dirty and comes out shining with a solid rock album that is perfectly flavored with a taste of blues, funk and jazz, and laced throughout with a little help from his friends. When the lineup of your friends happens to be within the likes of Richie Kotzen, Steve Lukather, Ted Nugent, Doug Aldrich, Tommy Aldridge, Brian Tichy and Steve Wiengart, there is nothing but incredible music going to come out of it. That, and a lot of heart, soul and an over abundance of energy.
There are 12 tracks on this album and I have to say, there’s not one I don’t like and no two that sound the same. My favorite compositions here are the title track, “Live For Tomorrow”, a complete rocker featuring Toto’s Steve Lukather on guitar giving it even more kick than it already has; “Still In Me”, a bluesy, wailing love ballad with keyboard delights from Steve Wiengart and the rock solid, powerful drumming of Brian Tichy – a song that’s easy for anyone who has loved deeply to relate to; and, the fast-paced, “In My Face”, where Marco’s bass lines work so incredibly smooth with the spectacular drumming talents of Tommy Aldridge – these two teaming up outside of their long-time Thin Lizzy collaborations together is almost a given, great classic rock rhythm work here that is perfectly in synch.
Other tracks include “Not For Me”, “Lettin’ Go”, “Look Out For the Boys”, “I Want You”, “Your Touch”, “Let The Sun Shine”, “You Got Me”, “Broken” and last but definitely not least (Marco’s favorite track), “Dance With Me” (an emotionally-driven and soul touching song of love). The more I listen to this album, the more I want to hear from Mr. Mendoza – he makes excellent music, easy to listen to solid rock with great hooks that keep playing in your head days later!
Along with “Live For Tomorrow”, Marco has produced a very funky jazz album that can also be purchased from his website, www.MarcoMendoza.com. It was recorded live at La Ve Lee in Los Angeles with drummer, Joey Heredia, keyboard virtuoso, Renato Neto and Marco playing some outrageously funked and jazzed up bass and singing lead vocals. It is called “Live In LA”. This is an extremely, quality recording of some great classic cover songs along with some originals done in a very full jazz/funk style. A very impressive, danceable collection of tunes and I am as impressed with it as much as I am “Live For Tomorrow”. On this cd, Marco has revisited Creedance Clearwater’s, “Suzi Q”, Stevie Wonder’s “Living For The City”, James Brown’s, “I Feel Good” and many others. All are beautifully performed, mixed to perfection and straight up stylishly innovative. If you’re going to have one of these albums in your collection of great work, you’ve got to have them both. Marco Mendoza is at his best on each of these and you’ll end up anxiously waiting for the next one or two just like I am!
