Badfinger-Badfinger (1974)

With the Welsh band Badfinger's fifth album, the saying "if something can go wrong, it will" proved true. In a terrible decision by the group's new record label, Warner Bros., the album was released almost simultaneously with their fourth, which had been released on Apple Music, the label previously owned by The Beatles. As a result, both albums competed in record stores that year. Despite this new commercial setback, "Badfinger", as this fifth work is titled, contained enough material to have achieved success, material that, as with their previous releases, never fully materialized commercially. As was their custom, Pete Ham became the main songwriter on this new release; the album's best moments are his, even though his creativity and inspiration weren't quite what they used to be. Tracks like the sublime "I Miss You" or the catchy "Shine On" are examples of Badfinger's impeccable power/pop rock prowess, while the elaborate "Give It Up", the Beatles-esque "Song For A Lost Friend", the rocking "Island" or the energetic "Andy Norris", showed that despite countless legal and financial problems, Badfinger were still at the pinnacle of British power rock.

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.

Lee Ritenour-Collection (1991)

Lee Ritenour's artistic career is as impressive as it is extensive. For over five decades, this Los Angeles born jazz guitarist has explored a vast array of styles, from jazz to Caribbean sounds and rock. In his early days in the late 1960s, he played with Tony Bennett's band, and a few years later released his first solo album, "First Course" (1976). In the following years, he showcased his guitar prowess with enigmatic works such as "Captain Fingers" (1977), "The Captain's Journey" (1978), and "Rio" (1979). By the mid-1980s, Ritenour had signed with GRP Records, releasing some of his finest jazz fusion albums. Albums like "Harlequin", a collaboration with Dave Grusin, won a Grammy Award in 1985. Other albums such as "Earth Run", "Portrait", "Festival", and "Color Rit" are equally significant contributions. After his time with GRP, Lee Ritenour continued releasing albums with various jazz labels such as Verve and Concord, including "Two Worlds", where he collaborated again with Dave Grusin. Many of these albums received Grammy Award nominations, seventeen in total, while also pursuing a solo career as a session musician, contributing to over three thousand recordings for artists like Steely Dan, Pink Floyd, B.B. King, and Frank Sinatra. In the early 1990s, he formed the fusion band Fourplay with Bob James, Nathan East, and Harvey Mason, releasing three studio albums. Before his departure from GRP, the album "Collection" was released, an excellent sonic document showcasing his outstanding work between 1979 and 1991, reaching number seven on Billboard's contemporary jazz charts.

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.

Birtles & Goble-The Last Romance (1979)

“The Last Romance” is an exquisite album by the duo Graeham Goble and Beeb Birtles, members of the iconic Australian band Little River Band. They compiled a series of songs that had not previously appeared on any of their main band's albums. The album reflects the group's more melodic and romantic side, consisting mostly of ballads of refined and elegant beauty. This ephemeral project is also a clear indication of the tensions within Little River Band during those years. The infectious vocal harmonies, along with the perfect instrumental synchronization, drive this brilliant album, brimming with intensity and exquisite artistry. The entire album is a delight and a true joy, showcasing the compositional and instrumental talent of these two gifted Australian musicians, who were also joined by their Little River Band bandmates: David Briggs, George McArdle, and Derek Pellicci. Songs like the mid-tempo tracks "He Gives Us All His Love" and "Lonely Lives", or enchanting ballads like "I'm Coming Home" or "You'll Never Change Your Mind", are a brilliant example of this extraordinary and distinguished work.

Renaissance-Turn Of The Cards (1974)

After Renaissance's 1971 album "Illusion", several founding members, including Keith Relf and Jim McCarty, left the band to pursue other projects. Relf would go on to found Steamhammer, and McCarty to form Shoot. The group then reformed with Annie Haslam on lead vocals, Michael Dunford on acoustic guitars, John Tout on keyboards, Jon Cap on bass, and Terence Sullivan on drums. With this lineup, they released "Turn of the Cards" in 1974, an album that confirmed Renaissance's stylistic maturity. Tracks like the expansive "Running Hard" showcase a Renaissance formula with more orchestral arrangements and elegant sounds, but above all, it highlights the voice of Annie Haslam, one of the most important female vocalists in the history of British progressive rock. The powerful melodic lines of "Cold Is Being" and "Mother Russia", the latter an undisputed classic for the band, are a clear example of their musicality, achieving perfect cohesion with Tout's keyboard work, Dansford's guitar style, and Haslam's refined vocals. Meanwhile, the tense "Black Flame" and the lyrical "Things I Don't Understand" conclude an unforgettable album that would serve as a prelude to their magnum opus, the following "Scheherazade and Other Stories" (1975).