ReflectionFrontIntroduction

Both living in London, Demis Roussos and Vangelis worked together one last time to produce Demis’ latest solo record “Reflection”. Released on the 25th of January 1984, the album is a collection of songs that are essentially covers of classic hits such as ‘Love Me Tender’, ‘When A Man Loves A Woman’ and ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’, arranged by Vangelis in an electro-reggae style!

Former Aphrodite’s Child member Argyris Koulouris contributed his guitar to this album, making the project almost like a reunion of the former group. Perhaps this is why Demis chose to include one of the band’s songs ‘Marie Jolie’ on the album?

Most versions of the LP include the 9 songs as listed below, and in several countries ‘Red Sails In The Sunset’ appeared as a non-album track on the B-side of a single. In Kenya however the album LP included all 10 songs recorded for the album.

To promote the album several singles were released, such as ‘Stand By Me’ (April 1984) and ‘Love Me Tender’ (November 1984). For the last a videoclip was recorded featuring British model Kathy Hill, who was in a relationship with Vangelis at the time. Kathy Hill is best known for her role as the ex-girlfriend of George Michael in the videoclip of ‘Last Christmas’ by Wham!, also in 1984.

If in need of a copy of the album the 2016 release is the recommended option as it contains all 10 songs. Unfortunately this version is only available as part of the “Demis Roussos Complete” boxset.

 

ReflectionBackTracklist and credits

  1. When A Man Loves A Woman
  2. Stand By Me
  3. Love Me Tender*
  4. The Great Pretender
  5. Stormy Weather
  6. I Almost Lost My Mind
  7. Marie Jolie
  8. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes
  9. As Time Goes By

* additional vocals by Carol Kenyon.

  • Produced by Vangelis.
  • Guitar by Silver (Argyris Koulouris)
  • Saxophone by Dick Morrissey.
  • Backing vocals by Caro Kenyon and Tessa Niles.
  • Engineered by Jess Sutcliffe and Raphael Preston.
  • Designed by Gwyn Davies.

 

Discography

LoveMeTenderFrontCD

  • 1995 Attitudes BR Music BX 510-2 (includes 6 songs from the “Reflection” album)
  • 1996 Mercury 824 028-2 South Korea
  • 2016 Universal Music 536 973-5 The Netherlands (in cardboard sleeve, as part of the boxset “Demis Roussos Complete”) 

LP

  • 1984 Mercury, released worldwide.
  • 1984 Mercury SRM1-4111 Canada (includes ‘Red Sails In The Sunset’ instead of ‘The Great Pretender’)
  • 1984 Mercury Kenya (includes ‘Red Sails In The Sunset’ as an extra track)

7” single

  • 1984 Stand By Me / When A Man Loves A Woman (Mercury 880 600-7) Spain and Australia.
  • 1984 Love Me Tender / Red Sails In The Sunset (Starblend Star4) UK
  • 1984 Love Me Tender / Red Sails In The Sunset (Mercury 880 500-7) France.
  • 1984 When A Man Loves A Woman / Love Me Tender (Mercury MS 76228) Canada

12” maxi single

  • 1984 When A Man Loves A Woman / When A Man Loves A Woman (Mercury DJM 148) Canada (promotional)

 

Recording studio

The album Reflection was recorded from October to December 1983 at Vangelis’ Nemo Studios in London by engineers Jess Sutcliffe and Raphael Preston.

 

More

  • In 1968 Demis and Vangelis formed the successful group Aphrodite's Child in France, together with drummer Lucas Sideras (and in the end also shortly with guitarist Argyris Koulouris). The band broke up shorlty after the recording of their third and final album “666” in 1971, and all band members pursued a solo-career and moved in different directions.
  • Vangelis and Demis teamed up again in 1976 to record Demis’ solo album “Magic” (1977). That same year Demis recorded additional songs in French and released the album "Ainsi Soit-il". This album includes several songs recorded for “Magic”, but here performed with French lyrics.
  • In 1982 Demis lend his voice for an oriental chant titled 'Tales Of The Future' for Vangelis’ score for “Blade Runner” (1982).
  • In 1982 Vangelis produced and arranged two songs on Demis' album “Demis”.

 

Links