David Foster

The instrumental "Love Theme From St. Elmo's Fire" by mega producer David Foster from his self-titled album hit the Top 15 in 1985, following the number one success of Foster's production of John Parr, also from the film St. Elmo's Fire. Foster's work overshadowed larger-than-life producers who came before him — Jimmy Miller, who was signed to a CBS label as a vocalist before his stellar career with Blind Faith and the Rolling Stones, as well as Bob Crewe, who was produced by Jerry Wexler when he released the Motivation disc. One would think Foster could have launched himself further into the mainstream given his tremendous success — or the fact that, unlike Crewe and Miller, he actually had a hit with Skylark in 1973, the Top Ten "Wildflower." An instrumental of that classic would have lent itself well to this Atlantic recording featuring a bevy of name session players from Carlos Vega to the horn section from the group Chicago, as well as Olivia Newton-John appearing on the tune "The Best of Me." Richard Page helps out with backing vocals on the Asia-sounding "Who's Gonna Love You Tonight," and "Sajé" is a very nice conclusion to the disc, which is all first class.