In the winter of 1979, amidst the bustling streets of New York City, fate orchestrated a meeting that would ignite a musical journey. Bassist and vocalist, Stephen Dees, embarked on a taxi ride to 45 West 55th Street to meet legendary Santana drummer and future Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Michael Shrieve, to consider forming a band.

The two hit it off immediately. After spending the afternoon listening to and discussing their musical ideas, they went to SIR Studios and jammed for several hours. By the end of day, they decided to form a group that would become Novo Combo.​

However, birthing this musical entity was no easy feat. An exhaustive quest ensued, spanning two cities and auditions, in pursuit of the perfect lineup. Dees, residing in Miami, crossed paths with guitarist/vocalist Jack Griffith, adding a crucial piece to the puzzle. Returning to New York City, a myriad of guitarists paraded their talents, yet the missing element eluded them.

Just as hope wavered, a promising guitarist surfaced, Pete Hewlett. Beyond his guitar talent, his vocal prowess rendered him an impeccable match for the ensemble. With the addition of Hewlett, Novo Combo was now complete.

In the 1980s, Novo Combo embodied a lively fusion of rock and pop; creating catchy, danceable tunes with punchy guitars and dynamic rhythms that captured the era’s essence. Their music was both radio-friendly and artistically spirited, blending memorable hooks with a contemporary edge.

Their self-titled debut album featured hits like “Up Periscope”, “Tattoo”, and “City Bound E Train” holding strong positions on Billboard’s Top Rock Tracks. Noteworthy tracks such as “Sorry for The Delay”, “Axis Will Turn”, “Long Road”, and “Don’t Do That” enriched the album with a diverse musical tapestry.

With their sophomore album, Animation Generation, the video of the same name climbed to #5 on MTV’s Video Countdown. Tracks like “Too Long Gone”, “Welcome Innervision”, and “Slow Fade” continued to spotlight their musical prowess, underscoring their artistic depth and range.

In the song, “Animation Generation”, Stephen sings, “The future is where I want to be, living in the 21st century.” Fast forward 40 years later and that prophecy has come true. Novo Combo returns with 45 West 55th, a new 12-track collection.

The album features new, previously unreleased, live tracks, and early demo songs written at Shrieve’s NYC apartment; the very address that inspired the album’s title. These demo songs landed Novo Combo a major-label deal with Polydor, which released their self-titled debut Novo Combo in 1981 and Animation Generation in 1982.

1. Don’t Throw Your Love Away
2. E-Train Revisited
3. Everything It Takes to Be Happy
4. Sorry for the Delay
5. Please Don’t Do That
6. It’s Only Temporary
7. Hard to Say Goodbye
8. aXIS Live
9. Sirocco
10. Long Long Road
11. What’s Been Happening with You
12. Another Slow Fade
13. And I Love Her [CD-Only Bonus Track]

This brand new record, 45 West 55th, features all four original members, and opens on the airy AOR of Don’t Throw Your Love Away and the free wheeling E-Train Revisited and then brings us the rocker Everything It Takes to Be Happy, the Police-esque Sorry for the Delay and then comes the reggae-imbibed Please Don’t Do That and the horn-driven, rhythmic beauty It’s Only Temporary.

With 45 West 55th, Novo Combo is re-animated and regenerated for the 21st century and they continue onward here with the lush, mid-tempo, reggae-fused Hard to Say Goodbye and the melodious live rock of aXIS Live, and they are in turn neatly backed by the equally live, three minute drum solo Sirocco, a gentle reggae bounce back again for Long Long Road and the pleasing AOR rocker What’s Been Happening with You, the album closing on the reggae-hued, and aptly-titled Another Slow Fade and as a CD-only bonus track, a rather lovely cover of The Beatles tune And I Love Her.

45 West 55th - Release Sampler

Official Purchase Link

www.novocombo.com