Biography

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Frédéric Slama was born in France but lived in L.A. for more than 10 years as a renowned Rock journalist where he became friend with many famous artists & studio players. After releasing a couple of solo albums in the 80’s and producing some French, Japanese and American artists, Frédéric decided to start a “one man band”. This marked the birth of his project AOR, always using the cream of U.S session players. In 2000, the first album « L.A Concession » was released and gave Frédéric a big respect in the Westcoast / AOR music scene. The second album « Next Stop L.A » was released one year later and again featured the help of several top session players such as Richard Page, Michael Thompson, Steve George, Jim Horn & Carlos Vega.

It was in 2002 that Frédéric Slama took AOR to a new dimension with the critically acclaimed third album « L.A Reflection », which was considered to be the best Westcoast CD of the year by many journalists and fans alike. It featured all the big names in the music industry including Steve Lukather, Mike Porcaro, Jeff Porcaro, David Paich (all Toto members) and a line up of stars like Tommy Denander, Göran Edman, Michael Landau, Vinnie Colaiuta, Michael Ruff, Bruce Gaitsch, Rick Riso and lots of other top L.A. artists. The album became a huge success and was co-produced by AOR legend Tommy Denander and world famous L.A. producer David Diggs.

In 2003, Frédéric Slama was back with an even greater CD, which again featured the best musicians any Westcoast and melodic rock fan could possibly imagine: Bill Champlin (Chicago), Steve Overland (FM), Steve Lukather (Toto), Michael Landau, Bruce Gaitch, Brandon Fields among many others and two Westcoast legends who hadn't recorded anything for over 20 years: David Roberts & Dane Donohue ! This album was called « Dreaming Of L.A » and again co-produced by Tommy Denander and David Diggs.

In 2004, Frédéric released « Nothing But The Best », an album featuring the best songs from his previous CDs, fully remastered by Tommy Denander plus 3 brand new unreleased tracks featuring Fergie Frederiksen (Toto) and Dane Donohue on lead vocals.

In 2006 AOR released a new CD called « L.A. Attraction » once again featuring the talents of many great AOR / Westcoast stars including Philip Bardowell (The Beach Boys, Places Of Power), Steve Lukather (Toto), Tommy Denander, Dane Donohue, Michael Landau or Rick Riso among others. This time, AOR developed a slightly different musical approach and moved into a more rock-oriented direction: « L.A. Attraction » sounded like a mix between Toto, Journey and Richard Marx and was a real feast for all AOR and melodic rock lovers ! The same year Frédéric re-released officialy his 1st album « L.A Concession » (only available on CD-R at the time) fully remastered with 4 bonus tracks and a list of impressive guests again.

In 2009,the magic trio was back: Frédéric Slama,Tommy Denander & Philip Bardowell (The Beach Boys, Places Of Power) teamed up again for a new album « Journey To L.A », taking Westcoast and AOR music to a new level of perfection. With the help of top session players such as Steve Overland (FM), Steve Lukather & Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Dane Donohue, Bill Champlin (Chicago), David Williams (Michael Jackson, George Benson) & many more, Frédéric delivered by far his most impressive and melodic work in the vein of Toto, Foreigner or Survivor, mixing elements of westcoast with more Aor rock oriented songs. 

In 2010, to celebrate AOR’s 10th Anniversary, Frédéric Slama released a double limited edition Digipack CD entitled « L.A Ambition - The Best Of AOR".This CD was the very best of AOR from the last 10 years with 5 previously unreleased demos from the 90’s & new mixes. “ L.A Ambition ” was fully re-mastered and featured songs from the 8 AOR releases spanning the last ten years. The CD is a two disc compilation containing the « Melodic rock » hits on disc one, and the « Westcoast » hits on disc two, with 28 songs in all. « L.A Ambition » featured more than 40 top musicians including Tommy Denander, Steve Overland (FM), Steve Lukather & Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Dane Donohue, Bill Champlin (Chicago), Göran Edman, Philip Bardowell, Michael Landau, David Roberts, Michael Ruff, Bruce Gaitsch, Vinnie Colaiuta, Rick Riso & many more.

In 2012, after two years of hard work, Frédéric Slama was back with the most anticipated album of the year called AOR "The Colors Of L.A", featuring a never seen cast of Aor talents in a single album such as Tommy Denander, Philip Bardowell, Jerry Hludzik (Dakota), Joe Pasquale, Steve Newman, Joey Summer, Bill Champlin (Chicago), Christian Tolle, Steve Lukather, Michael Landau, David Foster, Randy Goodrum, Michael Thompson, Rick Riso, David Diggs and many more. Co-produced by Tommy Denander, « The Colors Of L.A », AOR’s 10th Release, is the perfect mix between melodic rock & westcoast music.

2012 was also the year of an ambitious project, Chasing Violets, 2 talented French sisters, Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine, singing top Melodic Rock and featuring the best musicians of the genre in their 1st album. Written, arranged & produced by Frédéric Slama, "Outside Heaven" was the female Aor album of the year celebrated around the world by fans & press alike.

Then Frédéric Slama’ s AOR project was back with an even greater album called « L.A Temptation », featuring an impressive list of guests  such as Tommy Denander, Paul Sabu, James Christian (House Of Lords), Philip Bardowell (Unruly Child), Jerry Hludzik (Dakota), Göran Edman (Crossfade), Chris Ousey (Heartland, Virginia Wolf), Paul Shortino (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot), Hank Erix (Houston), Joey Summer, Rick Riso, Michael Landau, Mike Baird, Christian Tolle, Bruce Gaitsch, Alessandro Del Vecchio and all Lionville members & many more. For this 11th album, the sound was heavier than previously and the production and sound were at their best !

The same year, Frédéric Slama was also back for more with Chasing Violets 2nd album "Jade Hearts" featuring top notch session players. Written, arranged & produced by Frédéric, their 2nd CD was also released in Japan and got incredible reviews from the best & biggest magazines & websites around the world.

In 2013 Frédéric Slama’s AOR project was back for round number 12 with an even greater album called « The Secrets Of L.A », featuring an impressive list of guests such as Tommy Denander (Radioactive, Paul Stanley, Alice Cooper), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Jim Jidhed & Ken Sandin (Alien), Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn's Dream), Bob Harris (Axe), Göran Edman (Yngwie Malmsteem), Robin Beck, Tamara Champlin, Dane Donohue, Alessandro Del Vecchio (Lionville, Hardline) & many more. For this new AOR album, the sound was much heavier than ever before, far away from the Westcoast style of the 6 first AOR CD's. 

In 2014 Frédéric Slama’s AOR project was back with lucky number 13th, with an impressive new album called « L.A Connection », featuring guests such as Tommy Denander, Bill Champlin, Paul Sabu, Jeff Paris, Sherwood Ball, David Forbes, Philip Bardowell & many others. For this 13th album, AOR was flirting with heavier territories !

2015 saw the release of "Return To L.A" one of the best selling AOR ever featuring top guests like Jesse Damon, Tommy Funderburk, Paul Sabu, Rick Riso, Bob Harris, Erika, Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine & more.

In 2016 Frédéric Slama’s AOR all star project was back with album n°15th, showcasing the darkier & more melodic sides of AOR with the help of top producers Tommy Denander & Paul Sabu. The new AOR album is called «  L.A Darkness » and features some legendary singers like Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteem, Talisman, W.E.T), Kevin Chalfant (The Storm, 707, Two Fires, Journey, Shooting Star, The V.U), Steve Overland (FM, The Ladder), Jesse Damon (Silent Rage, Kiss), Henry Small (Prism), Paul Sabu (Only Child, Kidd Glove, John Waite), Philip Bardowell (Unruly Child, Places Of Power, N.O.W), Rick Riso (Chasing Violets) & more. « L.A Darkness » is for fans of the heavier side of AOR in the vein of Survivor, Foreigner, Giant & Toto. Maybe the most Melodic Rock album of all AOR cds.

Frédéric Slama’s AOR all star project was back in 2017 with a remastered compilation called "The Heart Of L.A" featuring some of the best singers from the Melodic Rock world. Imagine in the same album the incredible voices of Jeff Scott Soto (Yngwie Malmsteem, Talisman, W.E.T), Kevin Chalfant (The Storm, Two Fires, Journey, Shooting Star), Steve Overland (FM, The Ladder), Jesse Damon (Silent Rage, Kiss), Paul Sabu (Only Child, Kidd Glove, John Waite), Philip Bardowell (Unruly Child, Places Of Power), David Forbes (Boulevard), Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine (Chasing Violets), Bill Champlin (Chicago), Fergie Frederiksen (Toto), Paul Shortino (Quiet Riot) & many more stars. 2 unreleased tracks have been added to what might be the ultimate AOR album in the vein of Survivor, Foreigner, Giant & Toto.

Also in 2017 AOR all star project was back with a CD called "Rare Tracks & Demos". Featuring some incredible singers like Michael Kisur, Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine (Chasing Violets), Mikael Erlandsson (Last Autumn's Dream), Kelly Keagy (Night Ranger) & More.

2018 was the year of a 2nd demo volume entitled "More Demos From L.A.". Featuring singers like Jesse Damon (Silent Rage, Kiss), Paul Sabu, Michael Kisur, Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine (Chasing Violets), Dane Donohue, Jerry Hludzik & Bill Kelly (Dakota) with 3 never released tracks rockier and rawer than the versions released by Dakota.

Then in 2019, after the success of "Rare Tracks & Demos" & "More Demos From L.A.", Frédéric Slama’s AOR all star project is back with a 3rd volume of great songs from the past, entitled "Heavenly Demos". The CD features 14 tracks with some legendary singers like Paul Sabu (Only Child), Steve Overland (FM), Kevin Chalfant (The Storm), Jeff Scott Soto (Talisman), Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine (Chasing Violets), Chris Antblad (Spin Gallery), Philip Bardowell (Unruly Child), Göran Edman (Street Talk) & many more.Top players also includes Tommy Denander, Michael Landau, Christian Tolle and Mike Baird among others. Mostly recorded during the 80's & 90's, "Heavenly Demos" contains never released versions of classic AOR songs. All of them with different arrangements, extra instruments or different vocals. 14 tracks of rough and simple AOR that you don't want to miss !

Frédéric Slama is well known for all his AOR / Melodic Rock albums but also for his smooth Westcoast sound that you can mostly find on his 6 first albums. So it was time in 2020 to gather together a unique collection of songs in the pure Westcoast tradition in the style of Pages, Greg Guidry, Marc Jordan, Chicago or early Toto. With these cool 15 remastered tracks you will discover the best of Westcoast Music featuring the talents of Bill Champlin, Steve Lukather, David Roberts, Michael Ruff, Dane Donohue, Rick Riso, Michael Landau, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dave Boruff, Brandon Fields,Tom Saviano, James Harrah, Bruce Gaitsch, Ed Greene and so many more ! Only the best and sometimes rarest tracks have been selected for this one of a kind compilation reminiscing of the 80's sound. If you close your eyes, you'll have the feeling to be in Los Angeles during the good old days of Westcoast and soft Aor music played on the radio. This CD features the best musicians & singers of the genre. Unmissable for the smooth sound collectors !

In 2021, 5 years after the last release of an original new album, Frédéric Slama is finally back with his new AOR album entitled "The Ghost Of L.A". consisting of 10 brand new tracks. This 20th AOR CD released by Perris Records, may be the best of them all with unforgettable melodies, killer riffs & out of this world vocals. As in any AOR album, "The Ghost Of L.A." features great performers such as Tommy Denander (Alice Cooper, Steve Walsh), Paul Sabu (Only Child, Kidd Glove, John Waite), Rick Riso (Chasing Violets, AOR), Steph Honde (Hollywood Monsters, Now Or Never), Markus Nordenberg (Coastland Ride, Pearls & Flames). The CD's theme is about the ever changing city of Los Angeles that lost its soul for a brand new world far from the recklessness of an era long gone. But the ghost of the 80's is still haunting the streets of L.A. If you like bands such as Survivor, Foreigner or Whitesnake, you should fall in love with "The Ghost Of L.A". the most powerful & melodic of all Frédéric Slama's albums.

Paul Sabu is a real legend. Not only he has released unforgettable albums under the Kidd Glove or Only Child name, but also under his own monicker. Since his meeting in 2012 with Frédéric Slama from AOR, working together on the 1st Chasing Violets album "Outside Heaven", a real friendship has emerged and Paul Sabu was part of almost all the AOR albums released since then. "The Best Of Paul Sabu" features all the songs from that collaboration since that time. The album offers 15 tracks, some ultra rare only found on the AOR Japanese pressings, others as bonus tracks from the 2 Chasing Violets albums + 2 brand new tracks recorded specially for this project. Along Paul Sabu (John Waite, Silent Rage, Little America, Lee Aaron, Shania Twain), you will find talented musicians such as Tommy Denander (Alice Cooper, Steve Walsh), Sarah & Mélissa Fontaine (Chasing Violets), Linkan Andersson (Zoodrive), Martin Karlsson (Livin' Parasite) & Pete Newdeck (Eden's Curse). The album is written & produced by Frédéric Slama and co-produced by Paul Sabu & Tommy Denander. If you like Frédéric Slama's AOR with a touch of Kidd Glove & Only Child, you should fall in love with "The Best Of Paul Sabu" featuring 15 tracks of the highest Melodic Rock caliber ! 

In 2022, Frédéric Slama's AOR was back with one of his most powerful and Melodic album called "L.A. Suspicion". The CD includes perfectly crafted songs & unforgettable arrangements reminding us of the classic AOR sound of the 80's like Foreigner or Journey. The album features legendary singers such as Steve Overland, Paul Sabu, Robbie LaBlanc, Steph Honde, Markus Nordenberg, Bill Kelly & Michael Stosic. 

Now in 2023, Frédéric is back with this time his most 80's album of all his career, with unforgettable arrangements reminding us of the classic AOR sound of the 80's like Journey, Le Roux, Franke & The Knockouts or Foreigner. Along with Frédéric Slama, you will find talented artists such as Paul Sabu (John Waite, Silent Rage, Little America, Lee Aaron, Only Child, Kidd Glove) who did all the vocals of the album, and Tommy Denander (Alice Cooper, Steve Walsh, Paul Stanley). If you want to step back in time with pure AOR bliss, check out Frédéric Slama's new AOR release "Bewitched in L.A." the most consistent and melodic of all his albums. This time with only one singer aboard the AOR project, the sound is closer to a real band. So you should easily fall under the spell of this magical 23rd AOR album !    

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