Episode 12: Jato - Jato (1987)

Jato may not be a familiar name to you but in my mind remains as a fantastic relatively unknown group and product of the 1980's AOR scene that was cut way to short by a label; Parallel One records that folded shortly after its release in 1988. With the original band formed in the early 70s under the monkier Tacoy Ryde - A Reggae inspired/Allman Brothers/Grateful Dead inspired group rebranded themselves in the early 1980's with their failure to land a record deal. Signed to Parallel One Records; the new indie label put a lot of money into a product that really shines as something both memorable and well produced with hiring of Production and Mixing legend Bob Rock with over 800 credits including the likes of (Boulevard, Motley Crue, Payloas, The Cult, Metallica, Michael Buble, Kingdom Come and Colin James). Accompanied by a national tour, 2 music videos heavily rotated and extensive airplay with songs like "She's Got" which peaked at #76 for 12 weeks from July 18 1987 to October 10 1987 and "Lake Of Fire" which peaked at #90 on the RPM top 100 from March 19 1988 to May 7 1988 for 8 weeks the band was making huge progress. The label faltering is in my mind one of the reasons the band haltered and stopped. While the label went under only a short couple months after the single release of Lake Of Fire; the band's greatest song "Give My Love" would of been in my mind a top 40 hit if released as a single. The potential success of this song would have possibly allowed the label to stay afloat longer with the expected improvement of radio and music video airplay, album and tour sales. The album itself is unknown why 9 tracks was released when a 10th track could of been easily added to the release further solidifying their success at this time. After the demise of Parallel One Records in 1988 the band folded for good by 1990 and reformed with a modified and new lineup under their original band; Tacoy Ryde. This is a fantastic hi-tech AOR group in the vein of The Body Electric, Brian Island, Boulevard, Eye Eye and Platinum Blonde. Check this release out. You will love it.