Prism

Prism is the second album, on which Jeff Scott Soto freely took in soul, funk and pop elements over a base of hard rock's force. Released in 2002 after signing with Frontiers, with Soto himself writing, arranging and producing, and playing nearly everything. John Ellis at Prism Sound near Boston handled mixing and mastering; the album title comes from that studio. A different title had originally been planned. It was his first record in eight years. Beyond high-register power, the skill of singing that hugs low-range nuance and groove comes through well. The opener “Eyes of Love” has a briskness akin to Talisman, and “Heaven Knows” was dedicated to the victims of the September 11 attacks. On Sly & the Family Stone's “I Want to Take You Higher,” he duets with Glenn Hughes. An AOR feel recalling Journey and Foreigner, with ballads weighing heavily, is also characteristic. The colors change song by song, but the presence of the vocals pulls it all into one — a record for savoring his range as an expressive rock vocalist.