Mike Francis - Anthology (Curated by Blank & Jones) (2011)

Mike Francis è stata una delle popstar di maggior successo italiano degli anni '80. Nato nel 1961 come Francesco Puccioni ha segnato il suo più grande successo già nel 1984. "Survivor" lo ha portato dritto al top delle classifiche italiane, che è stata seguita da primi posti in Germania e Regno Unito.

Nello stesso anno ha scritto la hit "Friends" per la regina della discoteca Amii Stewart che delineati nella top 10. Molti successi che seguirono sempre focalizzati sulla sua voce unica e morbida. "Let Me In", "Features of Love" o "togehter" sono dei capolavori senza tempo, fino ad oggi.

Nei primi anni '90 Mike Francis ha registrato il suo primo album nella sua lingua madre. "In Italiano" diventò la colonna sonora dell'estate del 1991 in Italia e lo portò alla fama come Eros Ramazzotti o Raf. Ma ancora la sua musica si ispira al Soul, Funk una discoteca degli anni '80.

Negli anni 2000 decise di allontanarsi dal microfono e focalizzarsi sulla composizione e scrittura della canzoni e produrre con il suo progetto "Mystic Diversions".

Blank & Jones sono cresciuti con la sua musica negli anni '80 ed hanno convinto Mike Francis nel 2005 a tornare al microfono. Insieme hanno registrato una cover di Van Morrison, "Someone Like You" classico per la loro famosa serie "Relax". L'atmosfera era giusto e quindi non hanno solo deciso di registrare un intero Blank & Jones album ("Relax Edition Three") con Mike Francis, come cantante, ma anche prodotto in cambio il suo ritorno con l'album "Inspired" (2007). Purtroppo questo fantastico cantante e persona meravigliosa è scomparso nel 2009, troppo presto.

Insieme alla sua famiglia, Blank & Jones hanno curato una colllection enorme del suo eccellente lavoro. Molte rarità come il suo primo singolo "Love Has Found You" o una registrazione dal vivo del classico di Marvin Gaye "Facciamo Get It On" si possono trovare su CD per la prima volta. Nel complesso questo 4CD Box presenta i punti salienti di tutti i suoi album che non sono disponibili da tempo, o solo come molto costose importazioni giappone. Ovviamente tutti i brani sono stati accuratamente rimasterizzati da Blank & Jones e la scatola include anche un booklet esteso con molte pictues e impressioni.


Mike Francis was one of the most successfull italian popstars of the 80s. Born in 1961 as Francesco Puccioni he scored his biggest hit already in 1984. "Survivor" led him straight to the top of the italian charts, which was followed by top spots in germany and the uk.

In the same year he wrote the hit "Friends" for disco queen Amii Stewart which charted in the top 10 as well. Many hits followed which always focussed on his unique and soft voice. "Let Me In", "Features Of Love" or "Togehter" are timeless masterpieces until this day.

In the early 90s Mike Francis recorded his first album in his native language. "In Italiano" went on to become the summer soundtrack of 1991 in italy and brought him to the same fame as Eros Ramazotti or Raf. But still his music was inspired by the Soul, Funk an Disco of the 80s.

In the 00s years he decided to step away from the microphone and focussed on songwriting and producing with his project "Mystic Diversions" .

Blank & Jones grew up with his music in the 80s and convinced Mike Francis in 2005 to return to the microphone. Together they recorded a cover version of the van Morrison classic "Someone Like You" for their famous "Relax" series. The vibe was right and so they not only decided to record a whole Blank & Jones album ("Relax Edition Three") with Mike Francis as lead singer, but also produced in return his comeback album "Inspired" (2007). Sadly this fantastic singer and wonderful person passed away in 2009 far too early.

Together with his family, Blank & Jones have now curated a huge colllection of his outstanding work. Many rarities like his very first single "Love Has Found You" or a live recording of the Marvin Gaye classic "Let's Get It On" can be found on CD for the first time. Overall this 4CD Box presents the highlights of all his albums which are unavailable since a long time, or only as very expensive japan imports. Of course all songs were carefully remastered by Blank & Jones and the box also includes an extensive booklet with many pictues and impressions.


Tracklist

CD1:

01. Survivor (6:05)
02. Night Time Lady (5:20)
03. Cover Girl (4:35)
04. Late Summer Night (4:09)
05. This Love (4:02)
06. Fall In Love (5:30)
07. Let's Not Talk About It (5:32)
08. Love Has Found You (4:36)
09. Features Of Love (Club Mix) (7:12)
10. Friends (Extended Version) (7:13)
11. Let Me In (Extended Version) (7:29)
12. That Loving Feeling (with Ami Stewart) (5:44)
13. Try Love (with Ami Stewart) (3:46)
14. Time Out Of Time (Extended Version) (5:47)
15. Dreams Of A Lifetime (Extended Version) (6:27)

CD2:

01. Lovely Day (5:10)
02. Upside Down (5:54)
03. You Can't Get Out Of My Heart (4:28)
04. I'm Not In Love (4:36)
05. Special Girl (4:05)
06. Still I'm Running Back To You (2:55)
07. Don't Start Giving Up (4:49)
08. Dusty Road (4:30)
09. I Want You (3:44)
10. I Don't Care (3:31)
11. Fallin' On Down (4:42)
12. Message In The Eyes (4:48)
13. I Want You (4:13)
14. Together (Extended Version) (9:38)
15. Iron It Out (Remix) (9:23)
16. Suddenly Back To Me (Extended Version) (7:02)

CD3:

01. On And On (3:01)
02. Body Thrill (2:55)
03. Fantasy Island (4:22)
04. Good And Bad Times (4:55)
05. Settle Down (3:38)
06. Don't Rock My Soul (5:34)
07. Noi (1:38)
08. Almeno Con Te (4:44)
09. Come Si Spiega (4:18)
10. La Piccola Canzone (3:51)
11. Complici (4:21)
12. Sigarette (4:32)
13. Ciao, Senza Rimorsi (3:25)
14. Bellissima Occhi Chiusi (4:52)
15. Chi Ama (4:58)
16. Ahi Amor (4:16)
17. Calmi Calmi (3:51)
18. Distesa (3:46)
19. Ci Credo Ancora (3:52)
20. Il Mio Amore Libero Per Te (3:53)
21. Se Non Avro' Che Te (2:25)

CD4:

01. City Lights (4:29)
02. Summer Breeze (4:21)
03. Someone Like You (5:12)
04. Survivor (4:05)
05. Quedate (4:19)
06. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight (2:33)
07. Thinking Of You (3:21)
08. Bossa Per Emilia (2:48)
09. Time (3:24)
10. That Loving Feeling (5:43)
11. Perfect Love (4:01)
12. Down (4:08)
13. Friends (4:41)
14. Roots - Nothing Can Come Between Us (7:05)
15. I Love You (Late Night Mix) (4:34)
16. Lovin' It Up (with Bros2) (3:56)
17. Still The Same (3:40)
18. Let's Get It On (Live) (4:25)
19. Say Love (Live) (4:28)