Windchase-Symphinity (1977)

Windchase was a band formed in the mid-seventies by former members of Sebastian Hardie, one of the pioneers of Australian symphonic prog. These members were Mario Millo (guitar and vocals) and Toivo Pilt (keyboards). While Sebastian Hardie practiced a style more focused on the melodic sounds of progressive rock with many orchestral and classical passages, Windchase borrowed more refined sounds with lyrical melodies, a strong musical emphasis, bucolic guitars and keyboards, a mix of vocal and instrumental sequences, and more cheerful and carefree lyrics. Windchase's only album was released in 1977, where guitarist Mario Millo's influences are much more diverse, with echoes of Steve Morse's jazz-rock, Carlos Santana's Arabic sound, and Steve Howe's classicism, while the keyboardist also broadened his horizons with a much more prominent role for the Hammond organ. “Horseman to Symphinity” is a progressive, nearly nine-minute track featuring a rich interplay between guitar solos and the backing of organ sounds, with vocals that at times recall the timbres of John Wetton. In “No Scruples”, a frenetic rhythm takes over with synthesizer solos and powerful riffs; the funky and infectious “Lamb’s Fry” approaches progressive jazz; while “Flight Call” is a highly refined, exuberant exercise in symphonic pop.

Poco-Crazy Eyes (1973)

Poco was an essential band within country rock; however, their legacy has been somewhat overshadowed by the enormous commercial success of their contemporaries, The Eagles. While it's true that Poco never had the same media impact as The Eagles' albums, their exceptional quality has made them one of the indispensable bands in rock history. Poco rose from the ashes of another legendary American band, Buffalo Springfield. Two of its members, Richie Furay and Jim Messina, along with drummer George Grantham, bassist Randy Meisner, and guitarist Rusty Young, founded the band in 1968. A constant feature of Poco was the frequent lineup changes. Meisner left the band before the release of their first album, "Pickin' Up the Pieces", in 1969, while Messina did the same after recording the live album "Deliverin'" in 1970. Later, Meisner joined The Eagles, and Messina formed the duo Loggins and Messina. Their positions would be filled by bassist Timothy B. Schmit (interestingly, B. Schmit would replace Meisner in The Eagles years later) and guitarist Paul Cotton. In 1972, Poco released their fifth album, "Crazy Eyes", and although "Deliverin'" had already definitively established Poco, "Crazy Eyes" would be their definitive breakthrough, a marvelous work containing all the essential elements for enduring popularity. A work brimming with memorable and glorious songs, eight tracks that became absolute classics for the group, where the band flirts with different musical nuances. From the country song "Blue Water" to the instrumental "Fool's Good", passing through "A Right Along", a splendid, straightforward rock song, while the country rock song "Let's Dance Tonight" is the prelude to what The Eagles would do some time later, which together with the remaining tracks "Brass Buttons" and "Magnolia", make up a perfect and tremendously addictive album and a true masterpiece of country rock.

The Michael Schenker Group-The Michael Schenker Group (1980)

Michael Schenker is one of the greatest guitarists in the history of rock music, possessing fabulous technical skills and exquisite taste. A former member of such legendary heavy metal bands as Scorpions and UFO at various times, he recorded fantastic albums with them, including "Lonesome Crow" (1972) and "Lovedrive" (1979) for the German band, and "Phenomenon" (1974), "Force It" (1975), "No Heavy Petting" (1976), "Lights Out" (1977), and "Obsession" (1978) for the British band. After leaving UFO in the late 1970s, he embarked on an uneven solo career, alternating between great albums and others of lesser impact. His first band consisted of vocalist Gary Barden, keyboardist Don Airey (Colosseum, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow), drummer Simon Phillips, who had already played in numerous bands and projects, and bassist Mo Foster. In 1980, he released his first album, "The Michael Schenker Group", which best defines this guitarist and musician, combining his greatest moments with UFO and the sounds of the 80s, demonstrating that the band's greatness was partly due to him. The album's nine tracks are pure dynamite, each shining brightly, from the superb "Armed to Ready", which fuses the rage and raw power of the best heavy metal with melody and just the right amount of commercial appeal, to the energetic and powerful "Cry For The Nations", not forgetting the rhythmic "Victim of Illusion", the instrumental "Bijou Pleasurette", or the brutal "Into The Arena". From here on his career is very extensive with some outstanding albums, others of lesser scope, different projects, some of doubtful future or sporadic collaborations with his former band UFO.