From: GLORY-DAZE e-magazine (www.glory-daze.com)
Direct Link: http://www.glory-daze.com/readarticle.php?article_id=3161
Rating: 8/10

Background
From Greece, we introduce to you John Jeff Touch - a multi-faceted vocalist who traverses different genres of rock in a multitude of styles. John was first introduced to G-DAZE courtesy of the 2006 CD release by the band Killer Sixgun - featuring guitar wizard Lakis Ragazas. He sang on the project, and along with the other key player on that album - Sotiris Gogos, the duo would later hook up for this album 'First Touch'. Interestingly, John has signed with Lion Music - and it must be fair to say, that this album would (by Lion Music's standard of previous history and discography) be an unusual signing for them, as it does not contain any of the standard trademark progressive metal leanings that are typical of their roster. Instead, JJT has delivered an album that melds pop, jazz, fusion, acoustic and rock into a varied collection of songs, with John's breathy vocal cutting through on all tracks. In places where he rocks out, comparisons can be made to Kip Winger's solo work or perhaps Oliver Hartmann, or Michele Luppi. Elsewhere, I can hear a bit of Freddie Mercury and Robbie Williams, where power, emotion and a flair for the dramatic seem to prevail among his songs.

The Songs
The opener 'Message' has some nice synth touches, multiple vocal harmonies, and is an AOR sounding tune topped by an OTT solo courtesy of Mr Gogos. The next tune 'Lovin U' is wrapped in a crackly vinyl recording intro, before opening out into what could be best described as a euro pop/rock outing, the sax solo keeping it contemporary and dare-I-say-it 'urban sounding. 'Sometimes' is preceded by a synth wash, a double bass type solo, and tinkly piano lines. JJT moves this tune in a variety of directions.. one would be the aforementioned Kip Winger. It does have a cinematic feel to it, perhaps it should be on a soundtrack somewhere? 'Spirit' seems to ebb and flow - very much in keeping with the songtitle, whereas 'Crystal' seems to draw upon a musical strain that has a natural indigenous vibe. The sort of song you could see JJT singing underneath a tree on the beaches of Sri Lanka! 'Can't Live Without U' includes a heavy orchestral feel that could give Robbie Williams a run for his (considerable) money - that is if you could be bothered chasing after him and his UFO hunting parties! Sotiris Gogos announces his awesome guitar talent on 'Each Day', the song settles into a slower-mid tempo arrangement that floats rather than being propelled by the rhythm section. JJT's vocals drift in and out on the acoustic meets synth of 'We Feel'. Others might describe this as pop, I wouldn't.. perhaps a bit too sophisticated for that market I reckon. 'Moments' is a return to the cinematic style we heard earlier, this time combining progressive and folkier elements such as flute. Suitably named, 'Between 2 Worlds' has a world music vibe to it, lots of percussion and ethnic sounding instruments in the mix. Sure, Gogos lead guitar cuts through, but I could still be standing on the streets of Dakar hearing the same vibe shine through. The closer is an acoustic version of the aforementioned complexity of 'Sometimes'. Nice to hear it stripped back.

In Summary
Without doubt, this is an ambitious piece of work. 'First Touch' is more about music wrapped around the vocals of JJT, and for it not to be considered a pure hard rock album - because it isn't. You won't find any four minute rockers that will get your rocks off - the first track aside. Like the aforementioned Kip Winger, you'll find 'First Touch' to be an intelligent and sophisticated piece of work, and one which holds depth and atmosphere and variety. I mentioned Michele Luppi beforehand too. He went from pure prog metal (Vision Divine to AOR. I wonder what challenges lie ahead for John Jeff Touch? I'm certain he could tackle a range of different genres with that multi-part voice. The world could very well be his oyster..

1. http://www. stormbringer. at/reviews. php?id=2762

English translation:

John Jeff Touch seems to be a pseudonym, because real people from Greece don..t have such names. ;-) Would it be my turn to give him a name, I would call him Ioannis Schnulzidoupoulus (greek version of "tearjerker"). But as this is not my business, I concentrate myself on his music and that is located somewhere in the Soft Rock-Corner. The spectrum ranges from some dreamy songs from the ethno/jazz-field which dominate the second half of the album, over some pop-tunes („Loving U") to progressive elements in "Spirits". And overall he leaves some good impressions and his voice knows how to convince someone although the whole album is dripping with lard. But this doesn..t mean that the album is bad, but it will not find much fans from the "heavy-sector".
With guitarplayer Sotiris Gogo he found a real genius which hits the strings really hard from time to time and which adds some breathtaking solos.
All songs are over an average level, the only shortage is the second half which steadily goes calmer.

Let..s sum up: great voice, great guitars, but for heavy-freaks far to sloppy! Soft-Rock at it..s best...

4/5 stars

STORMBRINGER (Austrian heavyzine)

2.New review from French webzine, Metal heart, for First Touch album:

 http://metalheartwebzine.oldiblog.com/?page=lastarticle&id=1980828

John Jeff Touch is gonna present his new album First Touch at Radio Arvila show, ANT1 TV.

  He and his band are going to perform the song MESSAGE live!!!

Dont miss it!!!

More are coming...

John Jeff Touch:

I wanna thank you all from the bottom of my heart,for being yesterday in the presentation of my new album FIRST TOUCH at Mylos (Thessaloniki GR).

It was really great to share with you  my music, my world.

The atmosheare was fantastic and the feedback very possitive.

We really enjoyed it on stage!!!

See you soon...

John

The doors will open at 9 pm!!!Their also gonna perform covers from SIX AM,QUEEN,JOURNEY etc.

Be there...

The solo album of John Jeff Touch is gonna be released by LION MUSIC, on May 24th. 

For more info check out: www.lionmusic.com 

and www.myspace.com/johnjefftouch

Check out the new video clip of the song MESSAGE from the new solo album of John Jeff Touch - First Touch on youtube!!!

After our debute conserts i d like to thank you all who came to see us,it was really great!

check out the new COSMICRAY video clip at:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDM8jGi-4G4

take care

john

15 Feb Xanthi-Greece

21 Feb Thessaloniki (Mylos)-Greece

COSMICRAY will present their new album,LOVE IS.

They wil also  play  their  newest ideas and  songs from JOHN JEFF TOUCH album"FIRST TOUCH". 

In addition,they will show for first time their new video clip!!!

don't miss it!!!

bests

john

COSMICRAY-Love Is

OUT IN STORES!!!!!

The new cd of Angel Mourvati' s band and John Jeff Touch is released under the name: COSMICRAY-Love Is by PLUS REC-UNIVERSAL.

Check out the 1055 rock and other radios of Thessaloniki-Greece  to listen the single of the album!!!

The FIRST TOUCH album is almost ready!!!

There are some changes in the featuring artists:

The main bassist of the album will be Alex Deligiannidis.check out www.myspace.com/alexdeligiannidis.

The great Greek virtuozo bassist Giotis Kiourtsoglou will be featuring in one song!!!

more are coming!!!