In 1981, after the release of their breakout single "Let's Get Crackin," Rolling Stone magazine picked Shock as one of the top ten new artists of the decade. With comparisons to P Funk, Earth Wind and Fire, and Cameo, the expectations were high. And although the band did follow up with subsequent hits "Electrophonic Funk" (1982) and "Waiting on Your Love" (1983), a constellation of factors eventually brought this 1st chapter of Shock to a close. Shortly thereafter band leader/ keyboardist Roger Sause, producer/guitarist Marlon Mclain, and bassist Joe Plass began writing, recording and touring with smooth jazz star Kenny G. Then, in 1989 Sause and Mclain hooked up again to produce a more pop-oriented Shock album. Even though the single "Talk About Love" got a lot of airplay (particularly in Europe and Australia where it hit #1 on many dance charts), the project seemed to lack the magic of the original Electrophonic Funksters and once again Shock fell off the radar screen. This had to be the end---right? So in the early 1990s Sause and Mclain both moved to Los Angeles, where Roger began playing keyboards and touring with cross-over Christian icon Michael W. Smith, while Marlon became a full-time member of the grammy award winning Dazz Band. Roger formed a live music production company called Perfect World Entertainment, and Marlon continued to work with the Dazz Band, The Ohio Players, Charlie Wilson and a myriad of other elite artists . Then in 2007 Shock was nominated on the 1st ballot for induction into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. The band was then invited to perform live for the OMHOF in 2008, where Marlon was to be inducted for a life time achievement award. Although the band hadn't played together in 20 years, the fire was instantly rekindled and both the crowd response and show reviews were rave. After this show, lead vocalist Malcolm Noble suggested that Shock record another album. And even though the idea sounded like fun, writing, rehearsing, producing and recording another record wasn't realistic since everyone had moved on to other things both professionally and geographically. However, there were several things that had never been released before, that along with some live tracks and other things could be compiled into an album of "lost masters." And although Shock didn't have time to record an entire new album, it WAS possible to get the band together and record a couple of new things to include in this project---tracks #1 and #2---"Loosen Up" and "Nite Life" respectively. The CD also includes a live version of their classic "Let's Get Crackin," and even a jazz odyssey called "Hands of Stone" that showcases the virtuosity of the band beyond just "party music." Finally, there was an original album that had been released independently in 1980 which has become a collector's item because only 1000 of them were ever pressed. So this rare project has been reedited and remastered in its entirely for an additional 8 tracks on this new CD. The first thing one will notice is that there's a song from this old record also titled "Nite Life" that's a totally different song than the funkier track #2 on this CD. The explanation behind this is that the original "Nite Life" was written during the disco era, but the song title was still great for party music so it was reused to write a funkier version years later. There you have it! Anyway, I hope you enjoy one more dose of Electrophonic Funk! Shock Out!