Prototype – Prototype(1983)

Biography
Canadian band formed in 1982 by guitarist/producer Dan Lowe (ex 49th Parallel, Hammersmith, Painter, 451). In 1983 the band secured a deal with Mercury Records and later in the same their eponymous album released and produced by Dan Lowe and Prototype while three singles where released and the rock world started to talk about them. The album is a classic keyboard driven melodic AOR, a bit like Qwest, but with more pomp, and with pop sensibilities and  considered as one of the all time classic AOR albums. In 1984 the band split up and keyboardist  Ted Alexander with bassist Brian Island would session on the 1984 Qwest album “Dream Zone” while drummer Jerry Adolphe joined Boulevard for their 1988 album. If you like bands in the style of Arcangel, Streets and Preview with Pomp and electronic elements on Keyboards mainly, don’t miss these guys. http://melodic-hardrock.com/prototype-prototype-1983/

Album & Cover
This is the only album release by Prototype. The album produced the  top 30 single, “Video Kids,” which played on the emerging video game phenomena, the album would eventually become a critic’s rock classic. It also featured other keyboard-oriented AOR tracks like the lead-off “Behind Your Eyes,” “Mean Street,” and the tender “I’m Sorry” and “I Want You.

The bird on the front cover came from Oxford Scientific: The Natural World Specialist, and was founded in the early 1960’s, Oxford Scientific is revered worldwide for being the natural world specialist for both stock footage and images. OSF’s stock image collection presents in-depth coverage of flora, fauna, mammals, science and the environment. https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/collections/oxford-scientific

Cover Location: Hipgnosis Studio, London, UK
Who Did What: Photography – A. Powell/Oxford Scientific. Graphics – Hewson Bridge and Smith Ltd.
Label: Mercury SMM-1-4080(Canada)
Source: Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art, The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue: Aubrey Powell

Tracklist

Credits
Bass, Vocals – Brian Island
Drums, Percussion – Jerry Adolphe
Guitar – Dan Lowe
Guitar, Bass, Vocals – Brad Steckel
Keyboards, Vocals – Ted Alexander
Lead Vocals – Doug Riley
Producer – Dan Lowe, Prototype