Article Contributed by SRO
Published on 2026-06-19
Ross Valory, the acclaimed original Journey bassist and songwriter, has confirmed August 21 as the release date for the refreshed and remastered version of his debut solo album, All of the Above, via OID Music. Available for the first time on vinyl and CD, the updated release includes a new Valory instrumental track and video for “City Lights.”
This marks the first time All of the Above—originally released digitally in 2024—will be available on vinyl and CD, and the new version will include a special Purple Swirl Color Vinyl with an autographed photo exclusively available via Experience Vinyl. Pre-order the special edition HERE. Click HERE to pre-save the standard vinyl and CD.
For “City Lights,” Valory, who played standup bass on the song, teamed with a talented group of master players: Eric Levy of Night Ranger and Garage Mahal; Steve Smith of Journey and Vital Information; Bobby Strickland of Todd Rundgren; Stevie “Keys” Roseman, a longtime Valory collaborator; and Mic Gillette of Tower of Power Horns, who did all the horn arrangements and played trumpet and trombone, including a trombone solo.
Together, they “bring a new level of sophistication” to the track, a standout from Ross’ vast repertoire, he says. The visually arresting clip for the song is set against the backdrop of New York City throughout different time periods, capturing the hauntingly seductive instrumental track.
“‘City Lights’ is really about people out and about in the city, possibly in the rain, looking for and finding romance,” Ross adds with a laugh. “It's just the simple enjoyment of nightlife and romance…the adventure, the excitement, the spontaneity. Just being out on the town.”
“‘City Lights’ and the previously released ‘Nightflower’ are really sister songs,” Valory says. “They both have—in terms of the time period that they represent—the flavor of the big city at night, and in particular, Michael [Cotten, the video director] and my impressions of Manhattan. And while the two music videos have a different visual storyline, they're both related to nighttime in the city.”
The clip marks another collaboration with Cotten, who created videos for all the album’s tracks: “Touched, Pt. II,” “Tomland,” “Wild Kingdom,” “Windmill,” “Nightflower,” Ross’ interpretation of War’s classic cruising anthem “Low Rider,” “Incident at Neshabur/Señor Blue,” and “No One Wins a War.” Watch the “City Lights” video HERE.
All of the Above was produced by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Valory and co-produced by Eric Levy and Jacob Stowe. The 10 tracks on the album represent the full maturity of Valory’s musical gifts, cutting a broad swath through the instrumental territory the music travels.
He plays keyboards, guitar, and, of course, many basses in a display of cultivated virtuosity across a palette far broader than could be found in his work with Journey. He is stepping out from behind his bass and, for the first time in his more than half-century as a professional musician, representing his vision and his compositions.
