Releasedate:   03-07-2026
Label: Sonic Revolution / BOB-MEDIA

For four decades, Luxembourg-born musician Jimmy Martin has moved comfortably between melodic rock, AOR, pop rock and hard rock. To celebrate 40 years in music, Martin looks back with Past To Present, a 20-track career-spanning collection covering material from the 1980s through to newly recorded 2026 versions. Rather than presenting a single era or style, the album deliberately documents the different sides of his musical career.

That broad approach is both the album’s greatest strength and its biggest challenge. Past To Present moves from the polished AOR of Mystery Girl and Keep On Dreaming through softer pop-rock and ballads, before venturing into more commercial territory. Martin’s smooth, versatile voice provides the necessary continuity, while the production gives older material a refreshed sound. Drivin’ Through The Pourin’ Rain adds a harder rock edge, while When Your Smile Fades Away leans heavily into the emotional ballad tradition. The latter part of the collection becomes particularly interesting, with Love Somebody featuring Rick Springfield and I Wish You Here Tonight featuring Robin Beck. The 1993 Eurovision entry Donne Moi Une Chance adds another unexpected chapter to the story.

The result, however, will depend heavily on the listener’s relationship with 80s and 90s melodic rock. For fans of AOR, the catchy choruses, polished guitars and prominent keyboards are likely to feel comfortably familiar. Superhero and the My Sharona remake, in particular, may test the patience of listeners looking for a harder edge. At 77 minutes, Past To Present is also a substantial commitment, although its chronological journey gives the collection a clear purpose.

Ultimately, Past To Present works best as exactly what it claims to be: a musical retrospective rather than a conventional new album. It offers a useful introduction to Jimmy Martin’s career. Not every track will appeal to every rock fan, but the collection demonstrates the consistency of Martin’s songwriting and his enduring affection for melody.

Line up:

• Jimmy Martin – vocals / main artist
• Rick Springfield – guest vocals on Love Somebody
• Robin Beck – guest vocals on I Wish You Here Tonight
• Tony Corleone – guest appearance on My Sharona
• Maria Kissimov – guest vocals on Supernova

Links:

Official
Bandcamp