Back in January of this year Jim Peterik &World Stage brought us “Roots & Shoots Vol.1”.Seven months later “Roots & Shoots Volume 2” is released so that's now two albums in one year, Jim at 73 years old shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon! ”Roots & Shoots Vol.2” is the fourth album for the Jim Peterik's World Stage project which started in 2019 with the release of “Winds Of Change”. The World Stage is a project Jim put together bringing artists with whom he has a history as co-writer or touring with for live shows and recordings, but also showcases artists that Jim mentors. Jim Peterik's home base has always been Ides Of March. Jim has co written some of the most unforgettable rock hits including “Eye Of The Tiger”, ”Burning Heart” .He also has a long standing relationship with Southern Rock group .38 Special, he co wrote their hits “Hang On Loosely” ,”Caught Up In You”, just to name a few and is a collaboration which carries on today.

“American Dreamer” (Feat. Dave Mikulskis) the first track opening Volume II is an AOR track American style, its a track with a positive message including lyrics “May You Feel Like A Star”,which sets the tone for the album “Your Own Hero” (Feat. Mike Reno With Jim Peterik) is just the same as the opener AOR, positive messages  Mike Reno & Jim Peterik do compliment each other vocally, there are some lush guitar touches sounds very Survivor like with some groovy bass lines towards the end of the track. ”Stronger Than You Know” Feat. Jim Peterik And Dave Mikulskis) has some African Flare to the melody but keeping within the AOR genre. The power ballad of the album “All That's Mine To Give” (Feat. Toby Hitchcock) is a great AOR ballad slow build up in the verses but building into the power ballad in the bridge and chorus. The songs by now are very similar positive messages which is all well and good ,but we are now verging on cheese, very corny “Been To The Mountain” (Feat. Jason Scheff),”Forever Endeavour” (Feat. Jim Peterik With Toby Hitchcock),"Rise Again" (Feat. Kevin Farris) & ”Love Lives” (Feat. Jim Peterik With Cathy Richardson) although they have great lyrics, vocally they sound good they all sound very middle of the road with a bit of a country sound & touches in parts, which in turn make the album lack variety or diversity in style. “Hit Of Freedom” (Feat. Sophia Sheth) however is a track which is totally opposite to the former tracks it's more of a 70's soul track with some funky bass lines and melody. “The Road To Forever” (Feat. Jim Peterik) brings the album to a conclusion another ballad a powerful track, but sounds like the kind of track you would hear at a musical in a theatre or on a movie.

Jim Peterik & World Stage “Roots & Shoots Vol II” left me feeling a bit disappointed. I can't help but think these are songs that were left off “Roots & Shoots Vol I”  as they didn't make it on to Volume I which had better songs, as an album it sounded a lot better. Jim Peterik is still a great songwriter & musician, with some great singers musicians appearing on this record, but it lacked variety in the sound apart from the odd track like “Hit Of Freedom” (Feat. Sophia Sheth) but the majority of the album had the same message in the lyrics & songs which got a bit boring even though I'm all for positivity. It just felt it was a bit repetitive corny and cheesy in places.