Plenty has been going on in the world of Air Supply lately. Last week, the veteran pop duo of Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
There is a biopic in the works. 'A Matter of Time,' the new studio album - the first one in 15 years, is due to drop digitally December 3, with the same release date for an exclusive special edition LP edition.
The release coincides with Air Supply’s 50th anniversary as a duo.
While most of the duo’s albums have been produced by Graham, this time Canadian producer Brian Howes (Simple Plan, Men Without Hats), a two-time Juno Award winner, whose resume also includes tracks by American Idol alums Daughtry and David Cook, was at the helm.
A Matter of Time took two years to come together. Howes insisted that all of Graham and Russell’s vocals be done at his studio in Courtenay, Canada, an island off the coast of British Columbia, requiring several trips. The duo recorded live in the studio with their band like in the early days.
Since this may be Air Supply’s final studio album, Graham and Russell sought out the talents of legendary Australian sculptor and painter Brett-Livingstone Strong to create the artwork for the album, which includes an image of Air Supply circa 1981 amidst aliens, faeries, butterflies dinosaurs and cat-driven spaceships, among other colorful “easter eggs.”
“Brian is a great producer to work with, and we loved that he was always open to suggestions,” Russell Hitchcock says. “This creative partnership between myself, Graham and Brian led to a very mature album with great songs. Graham brings a different perspective on life to these tunes. When I sing, I think of different colors and there are so many that inspire me on A Matter of Time.
Stylistically, I love the fact that there’s a great variance from track to track. I think the songs aren’t just ‘I love you and you love me’ and a chorus but lyrically very deep and thought provoking. I’m glad we’re releasing the album on vinyl so that fans can have a deeper appreciation for Graham’s storytelling as they listen.”
Graham adds, “Most artists recording tracks and albums now record one element at a time, then replace everything until it sounds good. “We appreciated the opportunity to create A Matter of Time live. There’s a certain spirit you get when that happens, and over the course of running through a dozen songs, if you’re patient, incredible sweet spots come that you couldn’t capture using a computer recording each musician separately. Our way is more fun and interactive, leading to trying out different notes, chords and overall approaches and ironing out the wrinkles. We ended up here with magic and when you’ve got that, you end up smiling!”
Lead single “Wrap My Arms Around You” was penned by Graham during the pandemic, reflecting on the importance of physical human connection and a time when people would once again be able to hug their friends and loved ones without fear. The power ballad “If Only” features a mellotron element that pays subtle homage to the Fab Four’s “Strawberry Fields Forever.”
“Son of the Father” is from 'A Wall Apart,' Graham’s stage musical about the Berlin Wall. Kennadi Dodds, a 22-year-old Utah-based singer/songwriter, contributed vocals and lyrics to a song as well.
Track listing:
A Matter of Time
Wrap My Arms Around You
I Want Your Love
Can We Say 'I Do'
I'll Never Let You Go
Wishing Well
If Only
Son of the Father
I Say a Prayer
Photo: Denise Truscello
Lovers
We'll Meet Again
George Paul
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