Donald Byrd-Ethiopian Knights (1972)

Donald Byrd was one of the most accomplished trumpet players of hard bop, with a prolific career spanning the 1950s and well into the 21st century. With a discography exceeding thirty albums, in addition to collaborating on over a hundred projects and albums for other artists, Byrd compensated for his lack of creative freedom in composition and his limited innovation with works characterized by grand instrumentations and an effective, dynamic jazz sound. At the height of his career, Byrd recorded a series of groove jazz albums now considered classics of the genre. "Ethiopian Knights" was one of them, an album whose enduring popularity has led to countless reissues since its release. Released on the prestigious Blue Note label, this album is divided into two extended jams, quite far removed from the conventions of structured jazz, both exceeding sixteen minutes in length. The band featured Donald Byrd on trumpet, Harold Land on tenor saxophone, and Thurman Green on tenor saxophone. Trombone, Bobby Hutcherson; vibraphone, William Henderson; Fender Rhodes, Joe Sample; organ, Ed Greene; drums, Wilton Felder; bass and guitars Don Peake, David T. Walker and Greg Poree, demonstrate the prodigy of each of them, the versatility, a great cohesion and an irresistible jazz rhythm making this album an essential work of the hard bop genre.

Supertramp-Crime of the Century (1974)

Supertramp formed in 1969 based on the talents of two great musicians Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson, supported by the Dutch millionaire Stanley August Miesegaes. In 1972 after the commercial failure of the first two albums and followed the abandonment of most of its members and the sponsor of the group, which looked like the end of the dream Supertramp, Davies and Hodgson pressed to meet the commitments of the contract with A & M Records , the group reassembled with new musicians and making classical quintet that lasted until 1982. 
Under financial pressures and contract record "Crime Of The Century", his third album and mythical absolute masterpiece that marked the beginning of the creative era of the band with his unique sound influenced by Davies and Hodgson, fusing styles Rock, Pop, Blues, Jazz, and orchestral sounds. This album marked the resurrection of the group and placed in major league music. The album was produced by the band with Ken Scott, known for his work with The Beatles, Procol Harum, Jeff Beck, Pink Floyd and David Bowie and recorded in the famous studies of Trident and Ramport latter owned by The Who . The album eventually rivaled in sales with The Dark Side and The Moody Blues. 
The album was recorded in various studios including Ramport Studios, owned by The Who, Trident Studios and Scorpio Sound (London); between February and June 1974 Many of the songs had previously been included in group shows such as "School", "Bloody Well Right", "Rudy" and the album's title track. Almost the entire album contained in the 1980 live album "Paris", although the orchestration of the songs on the original album were replaced by synthesizers played by John Helliwell with the help of Roger Hodgson. 
"Crime of the Century" marked the first Supertramp album to enter the top forty positions in the American charts. Following the release of "Even in the Quietest Moments" in 1977, "Crime of the Century" was certified gold by the RIAA. 
The album would be remastered and reissued on June 11, 2002 by A & M Records.

Rainbow-Bent Out Of Shape (1983)

This was Rainbow's last album released in the 1980s, and also their most commercially successful. Despite this, it still boasts excellent musicianship, a well-chosen collection of songs that perfectly complement Joe Lynn Turner's powerful voice, which delivers an exceptional vocal performance. Meanwhile, the impetuous guitar work of Rainbow's leader and undisputed mastermind, Ritchie Blackmore, continues to inspire awe with its sublime riffs, intricate solos, and immeasurable melodies on the six strings. Catchy AOR-oriented tracks like "Can't Let You Go", "Street of Dreams", and "Fool for the Night" stand in stark contrast to hard rock anthems such as the solid "Fire Dance", the emotive instrumental "Anybody There", the ambient "Snowman", and the rocking "Drinking with the Devil". "Bent Out Of Shape" is definitely a great epilogue to Rainbow's golden age, an elegantly arranged album with a magnificent repertoire that highlights the great talent of Joe Lynn Turner and the genius of Ritchie Blackmore.

Paul McCartney-Tug Of War (1982)

Paul McCartney's fifth solo album marked another of his great works, following several releases of undeniable quality but equally conventional and predictable soft pop and commercial rock songs, such as "London Town", "Back to the Egg", and "McCartney II". With "Tug of War", Paul not only returned to the top of the charts but also crafted a work featuring some of the best songs of his entire solo career. Moreover, the collaborations with renowned musicians like George Martin, Steve Gadd, Eric Stewart, Stevie Wonder, Stanley Clarke, Carl Perkins, Ringo Starr, and Denny Laine added the perfect extra layer of appeal for a wider audience. Songs like "Ebony and Ivory" sung as a duet with Stevie Wonder, "Take it Away", "Somebody Who Cares", "Tug Of War", "Get It" or "Here Today", strengthened a work full of unforgettable melodies, under numerous musical styles that would reach the top of the charts in numerous countries around the world.

The Climax Chicago Blues Band-A Lot Of Bottle (1970)

The Climax Chicago Blues Band was one of the greatest bands of the so-called British white blues scene, rivaling contenders like Savoy Brown, The Keff Hartley Band, Fleetwood Mac, Chicken Shack, and John Mayall and The Heartbreakers, among many others, throughout the late sixties and much of the seventies. By 1970, this legendary band had released two immense albums focused on avant-garde blues rock, pushing their style towards exploration and the creation of new sonic heights. That same year, the band underwent its first lineup changes, with Arthur Word joining on keyboards and drummer George Newsome. These new members, along with founding members Peter Haycock (guitarist), Colin Cooper (saxophonist and guitarist), and Derek Holt (bassist), recorded two spectacular albums that definitively established them in the public eye, demonstrating their formidable talent and exceptional creative and instrumental intelligence. The first of these was "A Lot Of Bottle", where, in addition to their ingenious blues rock, they spiced it up with a touch of commercial appeal. From catchy bluesy tracks like "Brief Case" and "Morning Noon and Night", to conventional country blues like "Alright Blue", "Country Hat", and "Louisiana Blues", and including rhythmic and energetic blues rock like "Cut You Loose". A year later, they released their fourth masterpiece, "Tightly Knit", an album on which they shortened their name, becoming known from then on as Climax Blues Band.

Dies Irae-First (1971)

Dies Irae was a German band formed in 1968 that built a strong reputation through their wild concerts throughout southern Germany and countries like Switzerland and France in the late 1960s and early 1970s, until the prestigious German label PILZ offered them a contract and released their first and only album in 1971. Their lineup consisted of Rainer Wahlman on lead vocals and harmonica, Harald Thoma on guitar and vocals, Joachim Shiff on bass, and Andreas Cornelius on drums. Dies Irae's style was a strange mix of progressive and psychedelic heavy metal with strong influences from dark, heavy blues. Their only album, "First", is a hallucinogenic musical journey with a heavy emphasis on acid guitars and trance-like states, a result of the band members' LSD use. This debut album contained some truly interesting moments, such as the opening heavy rock track "Lucifer", the psychedelic jam "Witches Meeting", the intense heavy rock of "Another Room", and the acid rock of "Trip". After its release, the band gained considerable notoriety, even though most German radio stations refused to play the record due to its connotations of drug use and its links to religious rituals. However, a music video was broadcast on a German television network, providing them with enough publicity to achieve underground and cult status a connotation that persists to this day.

McChurch Soundroom-Delusion (1971)

McChurch Soundroom was an unusual Swiss progressive folk-blues band that released only one album in 1971 (with a rather sinister and unfortunate cover, by the way), before vanishing without a trace. The only information about the band is on the album's back cover, which, aside from the track listing, lists the members: vocalist and flautist Sandy McChurch, keyboardist Alain Veltin, bassist Kurt Hafen, guitarist Heiner Althaus, and drummer Norbert Jud. Their music showcased a heterogeneous sound that drew on German krautrock with elements of jazz and progressive hard rock, fused with British folk and blues. This album, titled "Delusion", was released by the underground label Pilz and showcases the musical eclecticism of McChurch Soundroom. It ranges from sounds reminiscent of early Jethro Tull in the opening track, which lends its name to the album, to complex compositions like "Time Is Flying", superb forays into progressive jazz such as "Trouble", and typical 70s hard rock like "Dream of Drummer". While not an exceptional or particularly original work, its music is nonetheless captivating and features excellent instrumental performances from all its members, especially the flute, guitar, and Hammond organ.