This has been requested by many as it was a rare release: a Japanese CD reissue of TOTO‘s album “Mindfields” in a Mini-LP replica of the original vinyl LP, featuring an – at the time – exclusive bonus track, and a new DSD remastering.
“Mindfields” was reissued later as part of the great TOTO box set ‘All In’, but this Japanese 2011 DSD remastering sound quality is far superior in our opinion. This is the only release featuring this remaster, a limited edition which makes it pretty rare now.
After a 14 year absence, legendary vocalist Bobby Kimball was asked to re-join Toto. With “Mindfields” Toto marked the singer’s return to the fold for first time fans rejoice.
With “Mindfields”, Toto started its ‘renaissance’ in terms of composition, something that would be completed in 2006’s Falling In Between album. The ingredients had started to come together for the band’s creative “rebirth”, making this album the band’s “re-conception”.
Alongside the ‘classic’ Toto sound & style, here the band try to find their new footing after the return of Kimball. And even when some tracks are too much expansive (“High Price Of Hate” clocks almost 10 minutes), all are admirable attempts at genres the band had not previously visited.
For classic Toto, check the excellent “After You’ve Gone”, the rocking “Mysterious Ways”, the very ’80s “No Love”, the elegant title track with Kimball’s great work, the punchy rocker “Caught In The Balance” or the awesome ballad “Last Love”.
We find an exquisite composition in “Better World (Pts. 1, 2, & 3)”, and more classic Toto circa 1986 with the joyful “Mad About You”.
In the style of they late ’80s sound, “Melanie” is that kind of mid-tempo AOR tunes we all love. Then “Selfish” is pretty hard rocker and has a catchy bounce with terrific guitars.
Then Toto experiments with “High Price of Hate” and its bluesy progressive side, and the Japanese bonus track “Spanish Steps Of Rome”, while atmospheric and instrospective (a new Toto side), showcases how great this band is.
At the time of its release, many didn’t understood “Mindfields”. With Bobby Kimball back into the band some were expecting another “Toto IV”. No folks, Toto never repeat themselves, and as said, this album was the start of a ‘rebirth’.
There’s some experimentation, a couple of long tracks, but mostly classic trademark Toto melodies. It contains all the elements that made this band great: tight playing, stinging lead guitar, soaring vocals and incredible production. Speaking about the sound, this Japanese remaster is amazing.
Highly Recommended
01 – After You’ve Gone
02 – Mysterious Ways
03 – Mindfields
04 – High Price Of Hate
05 – Selfish
06 – No Love
07 – Caught In The Balance
08 – Last Love
09 – Mad About You
10 – One Road
11 – Melanie
12 – Cruel
13 – Better World Parts I, II & III
14 – Spanish Steps Of Rome [Japan Bonus Track]
Bobby Kimball – lead and backing vocals
Steve Lukather – guitars, lead and backing vocals
David Paich – keyboards, lead and backing vocals
Mike Porcaro – bass, cello on “After You’ve Gone”
Simon Phillips – drums; percussion, loops
Guest musicians:
Steve Porcaro – keyboards on “Caught In The Balance”
Lenny Castro – percussion
Clint Black – harmonica and backing vocals
Tom Scott, Chuck Findley, Gary Grant – horns
Backing vocals:
Timothy B. Schmit
Phil Soussan
Mark Hudson
Richard Page
Chris Thompson
Maria Vidal