Christopher Cross Christopher Cross 2LP

In the late 1970s, disco and hard rock ruled the charts and there was seemingly no room for a fresh unique sound. Enter Christopher Cross and his now classic self-titled first album.

Originally from San Antonio, TX, and known as an exceptional guitar player besides being a tremendous songwriting talent, Christopher Cross's self-titled album, was released in the last month of the 1970s and its first single, "Ride Like the Wind," with the ubiquitous Michael McDonald on backing vocals, began a five-plus month run on the Billboard Hot 100 in February, peaking at #2 in April of 1980.

Produced by frequent Steely Dan sideman Michael Omartian, the sounds on this album put "soft rock" (or what much later became known as "yacht rock") high upon the charts. Cross' debut album spawned four Top 20 hits including "Never Be the Same" (#15), "Say You'll Be Mine," with Nicolette Larson on background vocals (#20), and the #1 smash "Sailing," which was awarded both Record and Song of the Year Grammys®. The album went 5x Platinum.

On February 25, 1981, Christopher Cross achieved something no one had ever done before at the music industry's annual gathering to recognize the best in music, the 23rd Annual Grammy® Awards. Cross swept the "Big Four" awards which included not only Best Record and Best Song, but also Best Album and Best New Artist. In total, Cross and his stellar debut album collected five of the six Grammys® for which they were nominated.

Over 45 years after this unprecedented achievement, Omnivore Recordings is proud to release an expanded edition of Christopher Cross. In addition to the Bernie Grundman mastered original album, this deluxe edition includes 11 extra tracks, including seven previously unissued demos from the original recording sessions painstakingly restored by multi-Grammy® Award-winning engineer Michael Graves. The collection also includes Japanese-only A-Side, three songs never issued before — "What Am I Supposed to Believe," "Smiles of Angels" and "Passengers," demos of classic album tracks, and new liner notes by music journalist (Crawdaddy, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Cream, etc.), Gene Sculatti who also served as the editorial director at Warner Bros. Records. His notes are informed by a fresh interview with the album's producer, Michael Omartian.

Christopher Cross is a classic album that has truly stood the test of time. Now fans can explore the development of the album for the first time with the expanded edition of this towering musical achievement.