ALCATRAZZ dangerous games ECS-91176

The Swan Song of a Supergroup: Alcatrazz’s ‘Dangerous Games’ (ECS-91176)

Today’s entry focuses on the third and final studio album from the original 1980s run of Graham Bonnet’s melodic metal vehicle, Alcatrazz. We are examining the incredibly preserved 1986 Japanese Promo Sample pressing of Dangerous Games, released on Capitol Records with the catalog number ECS-91176. This album represents a fascinating pivot in the band’s history, showcasing a distinct evolution in sound just before their initial dissolution.

A Stylistic Shift and the Danny Johnson Era

Released in 1986, Dangerous Games saw the band undergoing a significant transformation. After the departures of guitar virtuosos Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai, the band recruited the blues-rock influenced Danny Johnson (formerly of Rick Derringer and Rod Stewart’s band). Under the production of Ritchie Podolor, the group moved away from the neoclassical shredding of their debut towards a more streamlined, commercial hard rock sound that fits perfectly with the mid-80s AOR aesthetic. The album features Graham Bonnet’s signature powerful vocals applied to catchy tracks like the opening cover of The Animals’ “It’s My Life” and the Marbles’ “Only One Woman” (written by the Bee Gees). Additionally, the track “Ohayo Tokyo” serves as a charming, high-energy tribute to the band’s fiercely loyal Japanese fanbase, solidifying the special relationship between Bonnet and Japan.

The Exclusive White Label Promo

This specific copy is a highly collectible Promo Sample edition, making it a true rarity for completists. The most distinguishing feature of this release is the presence of clean, text-only White Labels on the vinyl disc itself, which bear the release date and the Japanese characters for “Sample (Not For Sale).” These promotional copies were originally distributed to radio stations and music critics prior to the official street date, often ensuring that the vinyl is one of the earliest pressings from the master stampers, resulting in superior audio fidelity.

Complete Archival Packaging

Manufactured by Toshiba EMI, the physical presentation of this release is immaculate. The album is housed in a single sleeve jacket featuring the distinctive artwork by Manuel Nuñez and comes complete with the original Obi strip, which is essential for retaining the item’s full collector value. Inside, it includes a 4-page insert featuring liner notes by Hiro Arishima along with lyrics in both English and Japanese. This package serves as a perfect time capsule of the era when Alcatrazz was aiming for mainstream American success while maintaining their strong foothold in the Japanese market.