Wishbone Ash-Pilgrimage (1971)

Wishbone Ash's second album and their first true masterpiece, "Pilgrimage" is an excellent hard rock work focused on twin guitars, with hints of the complex sounds that would be fully realized on their next album, "Argus", released a year later. With dazzling production by Martin Birch, the band showcased their clear jazz and progressive influences, as demonstrated in the opening track, "Vas Dis", a strange and unusual blend of jazzy scat singing and powerful hard rock. Meanwhile, the signature twin guitar work of Andy Powell and Ted Turner is featured in the sensational "Pilgrim" and the powerful boogie-rock track "Jail Beat", while hints of their future musical direction can be found in the subtle "Alone" and the folky pastoral "Lubally". To conclude with the melodic and complex "Valediction" and the raw blues rock "Where Were You Tomorrow", where the interplay of the twin guitars, superbly executed, is supported by one of the best rhythm sections of the 70s, composed of drummer Steve Upton and bassist Martin Turner.

Thin Lizzy-Johnny the Fox (1976)

Johnny The Fox was published in 1976 and composed almost entirely by Lynott that same year during his recovery from a hepatitis that left him for a few months off the road (they had to cancel the American Jailbreak presentation tour that had nothing more program and nothing less than with Rainbow). 

It is the most Lynott album of Thin Lizzy since the themes of slow and melancholic cadence predominate ("Old Flame", "Borderline", "Sweet Marie") and the fusion with Pop or funk sounds, like the addictive "Jimmy The Fox Meets Jimmy The Weed". Eclectic sonorities all very liked by the iconic bass player. The album was recorded by the classic line-up of Thin Lizzy: Lynott, Downey, Gorham and Robertson and contains some of the band's essentials, which never stopped playing live, like the adrenaline-fueled "Massacre" or the mythical "Don't Believe A Word". This theme was conceived by Lynott as a half-time with a certain air of blues, as it appears in the album "Back On The Streets" (1978) by Gary Moore or in the posthumous live performance of the band "Live / Life" (1983), but finally it was recorded in an accelerated version, courtesy say of the always mischievous Brian Roberston. In fact Robertson got pissed off because he is not mentioned in the credits as co-author of the subject. 

The two initial themes show that, despite Lynott's recent illness, the group is in top form. Hard rock with all the characteristics of the Lizzy: the melancholy voice of Phil, the unmistakable melodies of the double guitars and stories of rockstars charmingly losers (Rocky) and characters with very bad luck (Johnny). Recurring themes in the discography of the group.

Bread-The Best Of (1973)

In the late 1960s, a guitarist named David Gates was well-known in the California pop scene as a session musician, singer, and producer. However, this busy schedule felt too limiting, and he decided to broaden his horizons. Together with another session musician, guitarist James Griffin, they formed a band. They called themselves Bread, and although their career was short-lived, lasting only seven years, they left behind a long list of unforgettable songs, some of which have become classics of rock. They enjoyed great success between 1970 and 1977, placing 13 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during that time. They became pioneers of what would later be called Soft Rock or Melodic Rock (AOR), a style characterized by catchy melodies and lyrics that were generally uncompromising, as can be seen in one of their biggest hits: "Guitar Man". Their first album, "Bread" (1969), featured elegant, sunny Californian pop in the style of what many artists were doing at the time "California dreaming", as the song proclaimed. Gates, however, leaned more towards introspection and sentimentality than the pop/folk euphoria of his contemporaries. This led him to create a number of sophisticated ballads, which he would release in subsequent years on albums that achieved strong sales and high positions on the charts. A year later, they released their fifth album, "Guitar Man", featuring the title track, which became the group's most famous song worldwide, achieving gold certification like all their previous albums. However, it is in their compilations, such as "The Best Of" from 1973 (an album that reached five platinum records), where their power of seduction is best appreciated, giving space to the best of their entire career "If", "Make it with you", "Guitar man", "It don't matter to me", or "Everything I own", among other great songs from this legendary band.

Bob Dylan-Slow Train Coming (1979)

In 1979, Bob Dylan spent five months attending Bible school and experienced a spiritual rebirth, converting to Christianity. He subsequently released the albums "Slow Train Coming" (1979), "Saved" (1980), and "Shot of Love" (1981), a period known as his Christian years. After establishing himself in the 1960s as one of the emblems of folk and protest songs, and later causing a sensation by electrifying his sound and bringing it closer to rock, in the 1970s Dylan oscillated between notable missteps and some superb works such as "Blood on the Tracks" (1975), "Desire" (1976), and "Street Legal" (1978). However, Bob Dylan left virtually all his fans stunned with the release of "Slow Train Coming" in 1979, an album in which the Jewish-born musician openly expressed his conversion to Christianity, and in which faith was the surprising narrative driving force behind all the songs. "Slow Train Coming" features a collaboration with Mark Knopfler and was produced by veteran R&B producer Jerry Wexler. The album reached the top of the charts in the United States, achieving platinum status and winning a Grammy for the song "Gotta Serve Somebody".

Toto-Seventh One (1988)

After two albums that failed to meet expectations, "Isolation" (1984) and "Fahrenheit" (1986), Toto were determined to return to the path of success with a new work that followed in the footsteps of their acclaimed "Toto IV", released six years earlier. And they succeeded with "Seventh One", receiving a warm welcome from their fans, thanks to a collection of tracks that would once again place them among the best of melodic rock in the late eighties. For this new album, David Paich took the reins of the group, giving greater prominence to the keyboards and even greater emphasis on the vocal harmonies of Joseph Williams, Steve Lukather, and Paich himself, at the expense of the guitars. "Seventh One" contains an irresistible repertoire full of outstanding tracks such as the catchy "Pamela", the carefree "You Got Me", the rock "Stay Away", the epic with progressive airs "Home of the Brave", the spectacular "Stop Loving You" or the extraordinary ballads "Anna" and "Mushanga".

Utopia-Ra (1977)

“Ra” was the second album by Utopia, the band led by Todd Rundgren. Released in 1977, it is a truly impressive work, where space rock, progressive rock, and pop sensibilities come together seamlessly. By then, the band had been reduced to four members: in addition to Rundgren on guitars, there was Roger Powell on keyboards, Kasim Sulton on bass, and John Wilcox on drums, all four of whom also sang vocals as needed for each song. While their debut album had already explored sounds close to high-level progressive jazz with 30-minute suites, demonstrating Rundgren's great skill as a recording engineer, here the sound is more eclectic and varied, with rich sonic nuances. With a crushing opening like the pretentious instrumental “Overture: Mountaintop And Sunrise”, which segues into the rhythmic “Communion With The Sun”, where vocal melodies, keyboards, and Rundgren's arabesque solos stand out, “Magic Dragon Theatre” showcases the band's penchant for pompous pop with glam-tinged undertones of the era. This is followed by the powerful pop-rock track “Jealousy”, while “Eternal Love” is a song that approaches symphonic pop. “Sunburst Finish” and “Hiroshima” are the most powerful and visceral tracks on the album, culminating in the suite “Singring And The Glass Guitar (An Electrified)”, where every member of the band shines, with beautiful vocal harmonies and devilishly complex rhythm changes, demonstrating the virtuosity of all the musicians. In the following months the band presented this album live in a display of sophistication with a huge pyramid on the stage 7 meters high and a large golden sphinx that required 18 months of preparation and cost about 250 thousand dollars.

Camel-Camel (1973)

When Camel released their debut album, it was during the peak year of progressive rock's creative boom, meaning their music went largely unnoticed by most fans of the genre, who were more focused on listening to the dozens of established, leading bands that existed at the time. That year also saw the release of some of the genre's masterpieces, such as Pink Floyd's "The Dark Side of the Moon", Yes's "Tales from Topographic Oceans", Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells", Emerson, Lake and Palmer's "Brain Salad Surgery", and Genesis' "Selling England by the Pound," to name just a few examples from the vast array of albums released in 1973. Amid this whirlwind of releases, it's no surprise that Camel's first album wasn't taken very seriously by a large part of the progressive rock community. On this self-titled debut album, the band featured their classic lineup, or at least the one that would later record their masterpieces (“Mirage”, “The Snow Goose”, and “Moonmadness”): guitarist and vocalist Andrew Latimer, keyboardist Peter Bardens, drummer Andy Ward, and bassist Doug Ferguson. Recorded during the middle months of 1972 and released in February 1973 on the MCA label, it proved to be a very strong starting point for their progressive rock sound, setting them apart from their contemporaries. The influences of blues, jazz, classical music, and their own personal style combined to create a unique and distinctive sound. However, despite this, a certain musical imbalance is evident, which is understandable considering they were still newcomers and this was their debut album. Among the highlights of this first work are the melodic "Slow Yourself Down" where it already shows the duel between guitar and keyboards that will be Camel's DNA from then on, or one of their classic tracks like "Never Let Go", a piece that perfectly defines the band's style. The rest is made up of minor tracks that nevertheless attract the listener's attention, such as the instrumental "Arubaluba", the atmospheric "Curiosity" or the catchy "Separation".

Coven-Witchcraft (Destroys Minds And Reaps Souls) (1969)

Pioneers in using witches' sabbath imagery in rock music, Coven employed satanic imagery before bands like Black Sabbath or Black Widow. But while for the latter it was merely theatrical, for Coven it was their philosophy and way of life; they even used their own blood to sign their first contract with Mercury Records. And although it might seem like the typical foolishness of three young guys, the truth is that this group's satanic and occult imagery went far beyond what initially appears. They were already being associated with the image of hands with horns (the one Ronnie James Dio made famous a decade later), as well as the satanic symbol of the inverted cross. A band that, before releasing their first album, had already performed at various concerts opening for Alice Cooper and The Yardbirds. Their first album, "Witchcraft (Destroys Minds and Reaps Souls)", was released in 1969, almost at the same time as the murder of Roman Polanski's wife and several other people at the hands of Charles Manson's cult. This led to the album's rejection by many sectors of American society. The album contains tracks like the opening "Black Sabbath", with its dark sounds and atmosphere, and hints of psychedelic folk. "White Witch of Rose Hall" is a macabre true story about a mansion where voodoo rituals took place, while the occult atmosphere continues in "Coven in Charing Cross". But it is undoubtedly the strange "Satanic Mass", with its demonic references and its chants and prayers presented as dialogue, that most captures the attention of this album. "Witchcraft (Destroys Minds And Reaps Souls)" is undoubtedly one of the most interesting works of the late 60s, perhaps more for its themes than for its music itself, but with an unrepeatable creativity and experimentation.

Arthur Lee-Vindicator (1972)

After six albums with his band Love, in 1972, frontman Arthur Lee, completely frustrated, disbanded the group and embarked on a solo career that would prove short-lived and largely unnoticed. However, his only solo album, "Vindicator", released that same year by A&M Records, surprised everyone by radically departing from the fragile and melodic style of his band. On this album, Lee leans towards a raw, hard-hitting rock sound with hints of psychedelic rock in the style of Jimi Hendrix, as demonstrated in tracks like "Sad Song", "Love Jumped Through My Window", and "Everytime I Look Up I'm Down Or White Dog". He also delivers the magnificent blues-rock number "You Want Change For You Re-Run", the melodic "Everybody's Gotta Live", one of his most memorable compositions and the brilliant "Busted Feet", where he channels his skills into a Hendrix-esque style, both vocally and instrumentally, with outstanding and flawless blues riffs. Unfortunately, this album went completely unnoticed, fading into obscurity. Some time later, Lee resurrected Love with a new work ironically titled "False Start" (1974).

Greenslade-Greenslade (1973)

Once the first Colosseum project was dissolved, two of its members, keyboardist Dave Greenslade and bassist Tony Reeves founded Greenslade, for which they recruited former King Crimson drummer Andrew McCulloch and keyboardist Dave Lawson, which turned this band into an unusual case as it had two keyboardists and no guitarist (at least in England, since the Italian group Banco already had a similar formation).
The debut album "Greenslade" was released in 1973 and is considered a classic of progressive rock, both for the music and for the cover art by the legendary Roger Dean.
The use of two keyboardists allowed them to create a texture and a very dense sound atmosphere rich in details, which at no time saturated the sound, partly reminiscent of the Yes for their constant changes of time signature but without the complexity of the latter.

Howlin´Wolf-Rockin´ Chair (1962)

If there's one musician who inspired almost all the great bands of the sixties, it was Howlin' Wolf, a spectacular blues singer, guitarist, and harmonica player, and one of the most admired bluesmen in history. Chester Arthur Burnett (that was his real name), was born in West Point, Mississippi, in 1910. He was a man with a stony gaze, weighing 286 pounds and standing almost six feet six inches tall. The son of cotton farmers, he worked as a farmer until the late 1930s, when he decided to emigrate to Chicago in the 1940s. After serving in the army during World War II, he formed his own blues band and, some time later, even performed regularly on a radio station in West Memphis, Arkansas. In 1962, he released the album "Rockin' Chair", considered one of the bibles of the blues. Wolf was a genuine singer and a tireless creator who, with his raw blues, forged an expression of rage and vitality. Through his harsh and hypnotic voice, Wolf spat out all his anger and fears, everything he experienced as a farm worker in the rural South of the United States. His music was a sincere expression, capable of conveying every emotion, and his blues was a perfect reflection of himself. Hence the immense power and strength of his music, from an indestructible bluesman who has left a mark as profound as it is enduring. His legacy has left its mark on hundreds of bands, from Led Zeppelin to the Rolling Stones, including The Doors, Grateful Dead, Cream, Creedence Clearwater Revival, and many more. In “Rockin’ Chair,” Howlin’ Wolf revisits some of his greatest classics such as “Spoonful”, “Black Door Man”, “The Red Rooster”, “Who’s Been Talking?”, “Wang Dang Doodle”, “Little Baby”, “Going Down Slow”, and “Howlin’ For My Darlin’ ”, all of which he covers.

Petra-Back To The Street (1986)

Petra is one of the biggest and most successful American bands of all time, yet one of the least known outside their country. Formed in the early 1970s, with their catchy melodic hard rock style and Christian lyrics, they released around twenty albums, most of them hugely successful commercially and in the media, selling millions of records across the United States and achieving unprecedented success among their contemporaries in the same genre. Among other accolades, they have won four Grammy Awards, along with a dozen more nominations, and were the first Christian rock band inducted into the prestigious Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Pioneers in their genre, their four-decade career has been marked by numerous lineup changes, with guitarist and vocalist Bob Hartman remaining the only member of the original lineup throughout all those years. With an initial style rooted in American roots rock, they evolved towards the melodic hard rock they played throughout the 1980s, a decade in which they achieved their peak popularity, selling out every major stadium in the United States. Memorable albums such as "Never Say Die", "More Power To Ya", "Not Of This World", "Beat The System", "Captured In Time and Space", "On Fire" and "Back to the Rock" attest to the impressive career of this legendary American band. In 2005, after 30 years, the band called it quits, although they continued to perform sporadically in subsequent years. One of their greatest creative achievements came with their eighth album, "Back to the Street", which reached number four on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart. Produced by former Kansas vocalist John Elefante, it captured the essence of AOR (Asian Rock and Roll). from other bands of the genre and mixed it with their lyrics inspired by the Psalms of the Bible, embellishing with charming gospel choruses, sharp rock guitars and fabulous and irresistible melodic lines as demonstrated in "Back to The Street", "You Are I Am", "King's Ransom", "Fool's God", "Thankful Heart" or "Run For Cover".

Frank Zappa-Hot Rats (1969)

Frank Zappa's genius is unquestionable, considered one of the most complete artists that have ever existed in rock history, his forays into almost all musical styles give him a level that very few can reach.
"Hot Rats" was his second solo album, with such a fresh and current sound, it was very advanced for his time, where he perfectly blends his experimentation with jazz and progressive rock.
An album that was one of his biggest commercial successes, reaching a ninth place on the UK charts.
Entirely instrumental, it offers an amalgamation of jazz, rock, experimentation and shows a melodic Zappa as he rarely was in his entire career.
In this work Zappa also shows his great technical variety with the guitar, with virtuosic and spectacular solos where the virtues with the six strings are outstanding.

Jade Warrior-Released (1971)

Jade Warrior is one of the quintessential cult bands, and is considered one of the most original musical acts in the history of rock music. They imbued their style with a masterful blend of ethnic sounds, jazz, psychedelia, folk, rock, and avant-garde elements. A previous post recounts the biography of this unique band, so we won't delve too deeply into their history and will instead focus on their second album, released in 1971. This album represented a dramatic shift from their self-titled debut, released that same year. In that first release, the sound was centered on elements of jazz-rock fused with African music, resulting in an experimental and avant-garde album. However, this second work is characterized by powerful and driving tracks, very close to hard rock, such as the opening track, "Three-Horned Dragon Kill", with a sound reminiscent of Led Zeppelin, but retaining the distinctive African percussion so characteristic of Jade Warrior. The playful “Eyes On You”, with its infectious rhythm, gives way to the band's more typical sound with the relaxed and atmospheric “Bride Of Summer” and “Water Curtain Cave”, which lead into the lysergic and powerful “Minnamoto’s Dream”, featuring razor-sharp guitars in the purest Jimi Hendrix style. Meanwhile, the rock and roll “(We Have) Reason To Believe” contrasts with the epic “Barazinbar”, which gradually unfolds amidst tribal percussion and flute sounds, culminating in the bucolic and acoustic “Yellow Eyes”. This album received a lukewarm reception from fans, surprised by this radical change, which is why the band would return to their unmistakable style in subsequent releases, much to the delight of their most loyal and devoted progressive rock followers.

Kansas-Masque (1975)

Kansas' third album, and their second release in 1975, came just seven months after "Song For America". This was partly due to pressure from Epic Records, who wanted to capitalize on the commercial success of "Song For America". However, this haste hampered the album's sales, resulting in only mediocre results, at least in the months immediately following its release. For this new album, the band went to Louisiana to In The Country Studios, but kept the same production team led by Jeff Glixman. This time, despite composing an album of very high quality, the band didn't achieve the same level of cohesion and balance as its predecessor. The commercially successful and addictive "It Takes A Woman's Love" was chosen as the promotional single, which in no way overshadowed their previous hit "Song For America". On the other hand, several of their classic tracks already appear here, such as the immortal "Icarus-Borne On Wings Of Steel", a powerful rock song with progressive touches, and the catchy "Two Cents Worth". The melodic "All the World" showcases Kansas's more symphonic side, while the dizzying "Child Of Innocence" and "Mysteries and Mayhem" display the rockier side of the Topeka group. The album concludes with the progressive and expansive "The Pinnacle", thus culminating an album considered a transitional step towards Kansas's later confirmation as one of the greatest American bands of the 1970s.

The Stone Roses-The Stone Roses (1989)

In the late eighties, The Stone Roses presented their debut album, showcasing the cheerful and carefree side of Britpop, with a series of songs that inherited the pop-rock sounds of The Beatles and the psychedelic folk of The Byrds from the 60s. Founded in the city of Manchester a few years earlier by vocalist Ian Brown along with bassist Gary "Mani" Mounfield, drummer Alan John "Reni" Wren and guitarist John Squire, they created a collection of melodic and very simple pieces with a contemporary flavor. This debut is considered one of the fundamental works in the development and evolution of the so-called Manchester movement of the late 80s and early 90s. From the psychedelic frameworks of "Don't Stop", to the chords and attractive vocals of "Waterfall", passing through the outstanding pop rock "I Wanna Be Adored", "Made of Stone" and "Bye Bye Badman", the beautiful "Lizabeth My Dear" or the complex "I Am the Resurrection", together they make up a work that was highly appreciated by critics and a resounding success on the charts in half the world.

The Hooters-Nervous Night (1985)

"Nervous Night", the second release from the American band The Hooters, is not only one of the most acclaimed albums of the 1980s, but also the one that definitively established this excellent band's status. While their debut, "Amore", released several years earlier on an independent label, failed to achieve mainstream or commercial success, with "Nervous Night", released on Columbia Records, this Philadelphia-based band crafted one of the most relaxed and carefree albums of 1985, thanks to a repertoire of songs that blended new wave, folk, melodic rock, and reggae. The lineup consisted of Eric Bazilian (guitar, keyboards, mandolin, saxophone, and vocals), Rob Hyman (keyboards and vocals), Andy King (bass), John Lilley (guitar), and David Uosikkinen (drums). The enthusiastic vocals of Bazilian and Hyman, along with the occasional use of instruments like mandolins, give them that distinctive sound, as demonstrated by pop-rock tracks like "And We Danced" and "Day By Day", the powerful rock song "All You Zombies", the dramatic "Where Do The Children Go", the melodic "Don't Take My Car Out Tonight", and the carefree "Hanging On A Heartbeat". The album's exceptional quality, coupled with two million copies sold in the North American market, cemented their status as one of the classic American pop-rock bands of the 1980s.

Bill Bruford-One Of A Kind (1979)

Bill Bruford's track record in the 1970s was impressive; drums of the mythical Yes, King Crimson and U.K., playing on a dozen albums, in addition to having participated in albums by Rick Wakeman, Steve Howe, Chris Squire, Roy Harper or Albsolute Elsewhere among others.
Even so he had time to publish several solo albums, "One Of A Kind" released in 1979 was his second work where he had the collaborations of Allan Holdsworth, Dave Stewart and Jeff Berlin.
The talent of all these musicians, the variable melodies and keyboard solos of Dave Stewart, together with the sensational guitar of Holdsworth well supported by the rhythm section of Bruford and Berlin make up a collection of progressive pieces seasoned with a lot of jazz experimentation, with a magnificent result between jazz rock and progressive rock.

Iron Maiden-Rock In Rio (2002)

In 2002, Iron Maiden headlined the Rock in Rio festival in Brazil once again, having participated in the memorable first festival in 1985, alongside other legendary bands such as Queen, AC/DC, Scorpions, Yes, Rod Stewart, and Ozzy Osbourne. From that year onward, Iron Maiden performed regularly in Brazil before audiences exceeding 250,000 people. The Brazilian public's devotion to the British band has always been unwavering, a relationship that has remained constant for the last four decades. And the best way to thank them for that enthusiasm and loyalty was the release of the live album "Rock in Rio", which captures the band's performance at that second festival before nearly 300,000 people. The repertoire included in this live performance features a majority of songs from the album "Brave New World", including the terrifying "The Ghost of Navigator" and the exciting "Blood Brothers", as well as classic Iron Maiden anthems such as "2 Minutes to Midnight", "Iron Maiden", "The Trooper", "Sanctuary" and "The Number Of The Beast", the epic "Hallowed Be Thy Name" and the energetic "Run to the Hills".

Ten Years After-A Space In Time (1971)

Following memorable performances at the Woodstock and Isle of Wight Festivals, Ten Years After had released the splendid albums "Cricklewood Green" and "Watt," which featured iconic songs such as "Sugar the Road", "Love Like a Man", "I'm Comin' Home", and "My Baby Left Me". Months after "Watt" came "Space in Time", an album that reflected a less intense rock sound and a greater use of acoustic elements, with a clear commercial and accessible orientation. An album almost entirely filled with acoustic guitar-driven tracks, as demonstrated by the melodic "Here They Come", "I'd Love to Change the World", "I've Been There Too", "Once There Was a Time", and "Let the Sky", while also showcasing their signature power with the blues-rock anthem "One of These Days", the rock and roll number "Baby Won't You Let Me Rock 'n' Roll You", psychedelic songs like the orchestrated "Over the Hill", and even a jazzy "Uncle Jam". In short, with this sixth album, Alvin Lee and his band displayed their eclecticism and enormous stylistic range, producing one of their most versatile works.

Ozzy Osbourne-Diary Of A Madman (1981)

In the early 1980s, singer Ozzy Osbourne announced his solo career after being kicked out of Black Sabbath in 1979 due to his drug and alcohol abuse. At the time, many doubted the viability of his future career, so when he released his impressive debut album, "Blizzard of Ozz", the controversial singer proved to the world that he was still one of the greatest frontmen in the history of heavy metal. A year later, he not only created another immortal album of the genre but also cemented Randy Rhoads' status as one of the best guitarists in metal. "Diary of a Madman" is packed with metal classics such as "Over the Mountain", "Flying High Again", "You Can't Kill Rock and Roll", "Believer", and the title track itself. In all of them, Ozzy's charismatic voice combined with Rhoads' pyrotechnic skill on the six strings, fusing the heavy metal of early Black Sabbath with the neoclassical tricks that Ritchie Blackmore developed with Deep Purple and Rainbow, make this album an absolute masterpiece of heavy metal.

Egg-Egg (1970)

Egg are one of the most influential avant-garde bands of the Canterbury sound. With three splendid albums released between 1970 and 1974, they are considered a cult band in the annals of rock music. Their style, oriented towards so-called nonsense music, is represented in the emblematic "Symphony No. 2" from their self-titled album, the breathtaking jazz-rock "Long Piece No. 3" from their second album, "The Polite Force", and the ironically galloping "Germ Patrol" and the thrilling "Enneagram" from their third and final album, "The Civil Surface". For many, Egg, composed of Dave Stewart (organ and keyboards), Mont Campbell (bass and vocals), and Clive Book (drums), represent the maturity and sophistication that many less talented, though far more commercially successful, contemporary bands lacked. In all of them are present the elements of classical music driven by organ arrangements and a sober jazz structure, which led them to create three masterpieces of germinal progressive rock.

Nina Simone-Sings The Blues (1967)

Nina Simone is another of the great divas of American jazz and blues. She was a fabulous singer, a great songwriter, and an excellent pianist, as well as one of the most active advocates for American civil rights for five decades. Born in 1933 in North Carolina, she was already playing piano and singing in her local church by the young age of 10. A pivotal moment in her life was the day her parents, who had come to see her play piano in church, were forced to move to the back of the pew to make room for other white people. Around the age of twenty, Nina Simone moved to Philadelphia, where she began to earn a living giving piano lessons and singing backup vocals. Shortly after, she launched her career performing at the legendary Midtown Bar on Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City. Thanks to her impressive and soulful voice, Nina quickly rose to prominence, and her first recording, "I Loves You Porgy" by George Gershwin, achieved considerable success on the American charts. From this point on, Nina's career would be meteoric, with songs like "My Baby Just Cares For Me", "To Be Young, Gifted and Black", and "Mississippi Godman" (songs with a clear political message), as well as numerous covers of other artists such as "I Put A Spell On You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins ,"Here Comes The Sun" by The Beatles, and "House Of The Rising Sun" by Dave Van Ronk. Following further success stemming from her participation in several Broadway musicals, her song "For All We Know" would become another of her classics. With a style that blended gospel, blues, and jazz influences, Nina Simone earned the respect and admiration of the American people, earning the title of "High Priestess of the Soul", and becoming a true legend and icon of 20th-century music.

Herbie Hancock-Man-Child (1975)

Released during Herbie Hancock's funk-jazz-rock era, "Man-Child" is his most acclaimed work within that subgenre. Featuring a larger lineup than his usual band of the time, the Head Hunters, this album boasts a stellar roster of musicians, including Harvey Mason (drums), Paul Jackson (bass), Ernie Watts (saxophone), Wayne Shorter (soprano saxophone), Stevie Wonder (harmonica), Bennie Maupin (wind instruments), and Melvin Watson (guitar and synthesizers), among a dozen others. However, despite this impressive group of talented instrumentalists, it is primarily Herbie Hancock who intelligently deploys his arsenal of keyboards and synthesizers, becoming the driving force behind all the album's songs, perfectly supported by the energetic arrangements of the wind instruments and the funky rhythm section. That varied jam of instruments proclaims pieces like "Hang Up Your Hang Ups", "Sun Touch", "The Traitor", "Steppin'in It" or "Heartbeat", as one of the discographic gems of jazz rock fusion with funk rhythms, reaffirming Hancock as one of the great innovators of the most avant-garde jazz of the 70s.

Wishbone Ash-There´s The Rub (1974)

In 1974, the British band Wishbone Ash recorded their fifth studio album, "There's The Rub", a title taken from a literary quote by Shakesphere and referencing the Hipgnosis-designed cover of a cricket player about to throw a ball. This release marked the band's first lineup change, with guitarist Ted Turner leaving and being replaced by former Home guitarist Laurie Wisefield. Wisefield provided the necessary solidification after the previous, somewhat uninspired "Wishbone Four". Comprising six lengthy tracks, the album, featuring Andy Powell (guitars and vocals), Martin Turner (bass and vocals), Steve Upton (drums), and the aforementioned Laurie Wisefield, along with keyboardist Albhy Galuten, crafted a work brimming with the band's signature twin guitar interplay (undoubtedly their strongest feature), with a more conventional classic rock style and less conceptual depth compared to albums like "Argus". High-caliber tracks like the folk blues rock "Silver Shoes" demonstrate the potential of this album, while the epic mid-tempo "Persephone", the semi-folk ballad "Lady Jay", the consistent rock "Hometown" or the sparkling instrumental "F.U.B.B.", highlighted the quality of these veteran rockers and at the same time was the work that restored their great credibility after the predictable previous album.

Ryan Adams-Gold (2001)

"Gold" is Ryan Adams' second album, a work more patriotic and more American than his debut, where the influences of Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen are even more evident.
If a year before Ryan Adams had set the bar very high with his superb "Heartbreaker", with this "Gold" he would hit again with a very bright and energetic album, very close to the true canons of American classic rock.
An elegant album that shows us brilliant compositions such as "New York, New York", which unintentionally became a tribute to the city, when the promotional video for the song was recorded in front of the twin towers four days before the fateful 11 ​​of September.
An album with deep sound where acoustic guitars stand out and some careful lyrics as in "La Cienaga Just Smiled" or in "When The Stars Go Blue", or in the rockers "Firecraker", "Gonna Make You Love Me" or "Tina Toledos Street Walkin´Blues" or the beautiful blues "The Rescue Blues" that gained a lot of relevance when it was included in the movie "Proof of Life".

The Moody Blues-Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (1971)

For many this is the masterpiece of The Moody Blues, although weighed down in part by the immense success of their previous "Days of future Passed" and their huge single "Nights In White Satin".
However, this is one of his most versatile, varied and superbly performed works, where the single and rocker "The Story In Your Eyes" would catapult him to the top spot on the UK charts and a staggering second spot on the US Billboard.
Here stands out the mellotron of Mike Pinder, which includes the Moog synthesizers, Hayward's guitar does the rest to make a work of art in which there are sublime and mystical moments such as "My Song" or "Emily's Song", with that bucolic sound very characteristic of this huge and essential progressive rock band.

Jonesy-No Alternative (1972)

Another of the lesser-known British symphonic rock bands was Jonesy, an admirable group that, under the spell of Mellotron sounds, evoked the influences of early King Crimson. Its members were trumpeter Alan Bown, guitarist John Evan-Jones, keyboardist Jamie Kaleth, drummer Plug Thomas, and bassist Gypsy Jones. Any of their three released albums are gems of early 1970s proto-progressive rock. Their debut album, "No Alternative" (1972), featured standout tracks such as the progressive heavy rock anthem "Mind of the Century", the emotive epic "Heaven", and complex compositions like "1958", all underpinned by biting lyrics on recurring themes such as political corruption and the environment. The group's strong personality and captivating style, imbued with ethereal interplay between guitars and Mellotron, are evident in their next two releases: the elaborate "Keeping Up" (1973), featuring sublime moments like the avant-garde "Critique (With Exceptions)" and the poignant "Children"; and "Growing" (1973), the band's final album, which veers towards progressive jazz rock, as exemplified by tracks like "Can You Get That Together", "Hard Road", and "Know Who Your Friends Are". Despite their visionary approach and immense talent, they didn't achieve the desired success, and some time later, they brought their fascinating musical adventure to a close.

Stray-Saturday Morning Pictures (1972)

Stray were a legendary British hard rock band from the early 1970s. Formed in the mid-1960s in London by singer and guitarist Steve Gadd, who, along with bassist Gary Giles, drummer Ritchie Cole, and guitarist Del Bromham, earned respect within the London blues rock scene. Thanks to their incendiary live shows, they secured a contract with Transatlantic Records, with whom they released their self-titled debut in 1970, an exuberant, guitar-driven album with progressive influences. On "Suicide", released a year later, they achieved better production, and although it lacked the raw power of their first work, they created a formidable progressive hard rock album brimming with the sounds of the Mellotron and Hammond organ. On "Saturday Morning Pictures" (1972), the album we're discussing here, the band placed much greater emphasis on composition and arrangements, with a more prominent role for synthesizers, resulting in their most progressive and melodic work. Tracks like the ambitious "Move That Wigwam", the shimmering hard rock "Our Song" and "Leave It Out", the melodic "Queen of the Sea", and the complex "How Could I Forget You" brought their first era to a close with a superb album of great British hard rock.

Frank Zappa-Sheik Yerbouti (1979)

In 1977, Frank Zappa ended his time with Warner, becoming a free agent and soon after founding his own label, Zappa Records. "Sheik Yerbouti", the first album released under his own label, almost perfectly encapsulates the endless sonic experimentation that characterizes Zappa's career. Beneath his typical sarcasm, his songs brimming with obscenities, and his politically incorrect observations, Zappa showcased his most accessible and commercial side with this double album (if his music can even be called that). The repertoire consists of tracks recorded live during the late seventies, but overdubbed in the studio with various effects and vocal lines, creating one of the best live albums of the era. Except, of course, that it's not a live album in the conventional sense. Here appear almost all of Zappa's musical facets, ranging from the obscene rock comedy "I Have Been In You", the doo-wop-acid rock blues "Broken Hearts Are For Assholes", the jazz funk "City Of Tiny Lites", the psychedelic prog "Yo' Mama", the jam rock "Rat Tomago", or the satirical pop rock "Jones Crusher". Backed by an impressive roster of renowned musicians including Adrian Belew (guitar, vocals), Terry Bozzio (drums), Napoleon Murphy Brock (saxophone, vocals), and a host of top performers from the past and present of The Mothers of Invention, "Sheik Yerbouti" became Zappa's best-selling album, with over two million copies sold—an unprecedented feat for an anti-commercial, nonconformist, and anti-establishment musician who proclaimed his weariness with most of the sanctimonious, garbage music heard on radio and TV, which is still more clearly in force today than ever before.

Ultra-Ultra (1975)

Ultra is considered an institution in San Antonio, Texas. Their explosive blend of Southern rock and hard rock propelled them to legendary status in those Texan lands. Formed in the mid-70s, their lineup consisted of guitarists Galen Niles and Larry McGuffin, vocalist Don Evans, drummer Tom Schleuning, and bassist Scott Stephens. For years, this group built a strong reputation as the opening act for many iconic bands performing in San Antonio and throughout Texas. In 1975, they recorded a five-track mini-LP showcasing their powerful hard rock, replete with magnificent twin-guitar riffs with that gritty sound and extended, outstanding solos, backed by a devastating rhythm section and an energetic, powerful voice. Unfortunately, they barely had the opportunity to officially record a full-length album, beyond this promotional mini-album with a limited run and little promotional impact, mainly due to the enormous amount of competition within the southern rock genre at that time. Years later, Monster & Rockadrome Records did them justice by reissuing this mini-LP on CD, plus additional songs the band had recorded for a later album that was never released. The original mini-album featured outstanding tracks, including "Mustants", "Android", "Battery", "Ten Years Since", and "Lamp Black, White Flight", all excellent examples of their extraordinary Texas hard rock.

Mostly Autumn-For All We Shared (1998)

From the ashes of a Pink Floyd cover band, Mostly Autumn emerged in the mid-90s, an eclectic group drawing on a wide range of influences, from Irish folk to melodic rock, hard rock, and progressive rock. Hailing from the British city of York, the band's driving force is guitarist and singer Bryan Josh, who, along with singer and acoustic guitarist Heather Findlay, guitarist Liam Davison, drummer Allan Scott, bassist Stuart Carver, keyboardist Iain Jennings, violinist Bob Faulds, and traditional instrumentalist Kev Gibbons, released their debut album in 1998. This first release showcases a rich fusion of avant-garde elements influenced by Pink Floyd and Jethro Tull, framed by Celtic atmospheres and Heather Findlay's sensual vocals. Replete with melancholic and pastoral songs, creating challenging musical environments with large doses of folk, where violins, flutes, bagpipes and other traditional instruments are the perfect counterpoint to the electrifying guitars and the subtle structures of symphonic rock.

Rush-Power Windows (1985)

"Power Windows" would prove to be one of Rush's best albums of the 1980s, highly praised by both critics and fans, and also their first collaboration with producer Peter Collins. Released in 1985, and perhaps influenced by this, the album incorporates more keyboards and synthesizers into their signature sound. Furthermore, Neil Peart adds an electronic drum kit to his usual percussion setup, opening up new possibilities in his work, and this is noticeable throughout the album. But it's most apparent at the end, in the rhythm of the fantastic "Mystic Rhythms", where one wonders if this man is truly human. The answer comes when you see him perform the song live, perfectly reproducing the percussion sequence the original album version. However, one might still wish for a greater presence of Alex Lifeson and his guitars. His contribution remains merely a token presence, not only because of his infrequent appearances on the album, but also because when he does appear, it's by giving his guitar a sound that bears no resemblance to a conventional rock guitar. The album opens with "Big Money" and "Grand Designs", and from that point on, the quality of the songs gradually and spectacularly improves with "Manhattan Project", about the project that led to the first atomic bomb, and "Marathon", about this superhuman race against oneself. The album continues with "Territories", which addresses the problems that nationalism brings to humanity, and with "Middletown Dreams", a continuation of the themes of "Subdivisions", exploring the human being trapped in an oppressive reality and routine, and their attempt to escape, even if only through dreams. The album closes with "Emotion Detector", which deals with the difficulties of living in society and relating to others naturally, and with the aforementioned "Mystic Rhythms".

Jethro Tull-The Broadsword and The Beast (1982)

Framing in the most techno era of the band, which included in addition to this "The Broadsword and the Beast", the album "A" and the later "Under Wraps", it would be a work where the wise mix of hard rock with the sounds of very avant-garde synthesizers, a risky but effective gamble by Ian Anderson.
Without being a concept album to use, the theme of the album leads us to Viking mythologies and Tolkien's tales with acoustic guitars and flutes taking a leading role, combining commerciality with the quality of the songs introduced here.
From the vigorous "Beastie" to the epic "Broadsword", passing through superb songs like "Pussy Willow", the intense "Clasp" or the extravagant "Watching Me Watching You" show an album as forceful as it is commercial that, however, was something despised by his most purist fans.

Jefferson Airplane-After Bathing at Baxter's (1967)

The third album of the Jefferson Airplane would mean their most psychedelic work, where they did a great exercise in reflection compared to their enormous and superb "Surrealistic Pillow", without giving the least importance to the fact that it meant a less commercial album.
An album that is full of complex themes and a great diversity of nuances, with melodies that contain a series of diverse and in some cases chaotic sounds.
As proof of this is "The Ballad Of You & Me  Pooneil" which is the perfect demonstration of how surprising this complex but great album is.

Supertramp-Some Things Never Change (1997)

With "Some Things Never Change", Supertramp's tenth album, Rick Davies boldly embraced jazz and blues sounds, almost entirely abandoning the progressive forays and sophisticated pop tracks of their two previous releases, "Brother Where You Bound" and "Free As A Bird". On this new recording, Davies reunited with two of his bandmates from the group's golden era: saxophonist John Helliwell and drummer Bob Siebenberg. The lineup was further enhanced by guitarist Carl Verheyen, bassist Cliff Hugo, and singer, guitarist, and keyboardist Mark Hart, among other musicians. "Some Things Never Change" features exquisitely produced tracks with superb arrangements, most of them rooted in jazz and blues, but where progressive sounds still subtly coexist, as demonstrated in "It's a Hard World", a track with that typical Supertramp organic sound. Other tracks like "Live To Love You" and "Get Your Act Together" maintain that old spirit, but in a very subtle way. Following the stylistic pattern of the hit "Cannonball" comes "Some Things Never Change", a track that provides just the right amount of commercial appeal to give the album a lively and fresh feel. The vintage "You Win, I Lose" and "C'est What?", the jazz fusion "Sooner Or Later", the bluesy "Help Me Down That Road", and the melodic "Give Me A Change" all combine to form a very respectable effort that, while not reaching the heights of their excellent work from the 70s, left intact the enormous credibility of one of the greatest bands of all time.

Kiss-Love Gun (1977)

With his sixth album "Love Gun" published in 1977, Kiss closed his stage of best creativity and for many of his fans, the best of his entire career.
This superb album contains part of the history of the band with songs like "I Stole Your Love", "Shock Me" or "Love Gun" demonstrating the enormous amount of songs they composed in only three years in which they released five fantastic albums.
From here the bad addictions of its members, in particular Ace Frehley and Peter Criss and the egos of the rest of the band would take their toll on them, turning their environment into their own creative tomb.

Ozzy Osbourne-Down To Earth (2001)

Shortly after his sixth album, "No More Tears" (1991), singer Ozzy Osbourne expressed his intention to retire from the recording studio, but not from the stage, forming the successful Ozzfest festival with his wife, Sharon. However, his restless spirit wouldn't allow him to remain idle for long, and he ended up recording another album four years later, the celebrated "Ozzmosis" (1995), with which he was once again acclaimed as a metal god by his millions of fans around the world. Due to media pressure and pressure from his own record label, in 2001 Ozzy returned to writing material for a new album titled "Down to Earth". For its recording, the legendary singer enlisted his main collaborator, Zakk Wylde (guitars), as well as Mike Bordin (drums), Robert Trujillo (bass), Tim Palmer (keyboards and guitars), Michael Railo (keyboards), and Danny Saber (guitars). "Down To Earth" is undoubtedly his most relaxed work, where his characteristically poetic lyrics address everything from his personal experiences with drugs to the difficult times we are living through. Musically, the tone is quite melodic, with a solid, addictive, and infectious heavy metal sound, encompassing sophisticated ballads like "Dreamer" and "Running Out Of Time", as well as harmonic heavy metal numbers such as "Back Illusion", "Junkie", "Gets Me Through", "Can You Hear Them?", "Facing Hell", and "Alive". With this album, Ozzy adapted to the changing landscape of 21st-century heavy metal while always maintaining his timeless and distinctive style.

Marillion-Marbles (2004)

During the latter half of the 1990s, Marillion seemed to be preaching in the wilderness, releasing a series of rather predictable albums that would mark the lowest point creatively in their extensive discography. Albums like the unenthusiastic "Radiation" (1998), the predictable pop-rock "Marillion.com" (1999), and the more innovative "Anoraknophobia" (2001) left a certain unease among their more purist fans and a low commercial return, leading them to seriously reconsider their immediate future, convinced that this path was leading them nowhere. Thus, three years later they released "Marbles", a sprawling double album where they stepped outside their comfort zone to create one of their most consistent and progressive albums, meticulously delving into their musical origins with an intense and memorable neo-progressive sound. From epic progressive anthems like "Ocean Cloud" to the intense "Neverland", and from the melancholic "The Invisible Man" to the poignant "You're Gone" and "Fantastic Place", they demonstrated that they hadn't yet lost the essential original sound that had begun two decades earlier. However, there was also room for melodic and commercial soft rock, as exemplified by the catchy "Don't Hurt Yourself" and "Angelina". With this superb album (their thirteenth), Marillion entered a phase of great creativity, producing excellent works such as the subsequent "Happiness Is The Road" (2008), "Sounds That Can't Be Made" (2012), and "Fear" (2016).

Eloy-Eloy (1971)

The German band Eloy's career has always been characterized by their grandiose, spacey progressive rock style, replete with allusions to science fiction and mysticism. However, their debut album bears little resemblance to that musical orientation; in this first release, they focus on the more energetic and heavy sounds of conventional hard rock. Of the lineup that recorded this first album, only three members would continue after its release: Frank Bonermann (guitar), Manfred Wieczorke (guitar and vocals), and Wolfgang Stöcker (bass), while the rest consisted of drummer Helmuth Draht and organist and singer Erich Schriever. Although initially categorized as krautrock, their style was actually closer to the British hard rock of bands like Uriah Heep, Atomic Rooster, or Warhorse than to the German movement full of improvisation, psychedelic sounds, and experimentation. Plausible pieces such as the powerful "Today", the psychedelic "Something Yellow", the dark and heavy "Song Of A Paranoid Soldier", the relaxing "Isle Of Sun" or the hard rock groove "Voice Of Revolution", were part of the worthy debut of one of the most emblematic and famous bands that emerged from Germany during the 1970s.

Bon Jovi-Slippery When Wet (1986)

For many it was the best hard rock album of the 80s, especially because of the popularity that this album would generate, a statement perhaps exaggerated when checking the endless list of great albums that came out in that decade, but even so, this is undoubtedly the best work by one of the bands that best knew how to combine addictive songs with contagious refrains and great melodies, all with a plus of pop sound that made them tremendously popular.
"Slippery When Wet" is full of compositions with a spectacular commercial vein, highlighting above all of them "Livin'On A Prayer" and "You Give Love A Bad Name", two huge songs that were the creative pinnacle of Bon Jovi.
The rest maintained a very high level like the epic "Wanted Dead Or Alive", or the rock "Raise Your Hands" and "Wild In The Streets" where he showed the influence of his mentor Bruce Springsteen.

Grobschnitt-Rockpommel´s Land (1977)

In 1977 came the fifth album from the German band Grobschnitt, considered by many to be one of the most brilliant progressive rock recordings ever made. Conceived as a concept album, based around the naive story of a clever young man traveling through magical lands and finding wisdom and peace of mind, it is ultimately nothing more than a palpable display of the ironic humor of this German group. On this release, the lineup; Stefan Danielak (guitars and vocals), Gerd-Otto Kühn (guitars and backing vocals), Volker Kahrs (keyboards), Wolfgang Jäger (bass), and Joachim Ehrig (drums and percussion), showcases its most symphonic and intense side, with abundant guitar riffs and solos underpinned by atmospheric synthesizers, all tied together by a cohesive concept. However, it's also true that compared to their previous releases, they lose some of their defining characteristics, such as their extroverted music and humorous lyrics, while their effective hard rock guitars become more melodic and ethereal. Despite the simplicity of its story, musically it presents an inexhaustible source of creativity, which, from the opening track "Ernie's Reise", which establishes the album's main focus, through the intricate, somber soundscape of "Severity Town", the soothing and relaxed "Anywhere", and the progressive symphonic epic "Rockpommel's Land", makes this work a sumptuous and splendid example of progressive rock from the 1970s.

Krokus-Metal Rendez-Vous (1980)

Despite sometimes being accused of merely copying the Australian band AC/DC, Krokus forged a fruitful career filled with great moments that have gone down in the annals of world heavy metal with outstanding works such as "Metal Rendez-Vous", "Hardware", "Headhunter", and "One Vice At A Time". While it's true that their roots lie in the energetic and visceral hard rock of the bands led by the Young brothers, it's also true that they embellished it with the metallic sound of their guitars and intricate arrangements, transforming their style into a devastating and addictive heavy rock. In 1980, this Swiss band cemented their reputation with the release of their fourth album, "Metal Rendez-Vous". The lineup, comprised of vocalist Marc Storace, guitarists Fernando von Arb and Tommy Kiefer, bassist Chris von Rohr, keyboardist Jürg Naegeli, and drummer Freddy Steady, showcased their full stylistic maturity with a series of incendiary tracks such as "Heatstrokes", "Come On", "Lady Double Dealer", "Bedside Radio", and the frenetic "Back Seat Rock 'n' Roll". These contrasted sharply with the evocative ballad "Streamer" and the complex "Fire". The album became one of their greatest creative and commercial achievements, earning four platinum records and enormous sales across Europe.

David Gilmour-About Face (1984)

Once Roger Waters' relationship with the rest of Pink Floyd ended after the album "The Final Cut", guitarist David Gilmour focused his efforts on creating his second solo album. Far removed from Waters' political or social activism, Gilmour concentrated solely on showcasing his musical talent without engaging with his former bandmate's controversial messages. "About Face" reveals the musical sensibility of an excellent guitarist in an accessible and thoroughly enjoyable work. Melancholic atmospheres set the overall tone of the album, as exemplified by the emotive "Out Of The Blue" and the radiant "Love On The Air", where he receives invaluable assistance from Steve Winwood on keyboards. Winwood, along with other prominent musicians such as Jon Lord, Jeff Porcaro, Bob Ezrin, Roy Harper, Ray Cooper, Pino Palladino, and Michael Kamen, comprises the extensive list of guest musicians on the album's recording. The nods to his main band are present in the progressive "Blue Light" and "Near the End", while the more predictable eighties-inspired "Until We Sleep" and "All Lovers Are Deranged", put a worthy conclusion to an effort that is more appealing and less pretentious for the average listener than the vindictive schemes of the brilliant but irascible Roger Waters.

Blodwyn Pig-Getting To This (1970)

The blues leanings of guitarist Mick Abrahams and the jazz-influenced contributions of violinist and flautist Jack Lancaster fueled the style of the British band Blodwyn Pig. Formed in 1968, Blodwyn Pig were a pioneer of the British avant-garde movements of the late 1960s. Founded by former Jethro Tull member Mick Abrahams, along with Jack Lancaster, bassist Andy Pyle, and drummer Ron Berg, their debut album, "Ahead Rings Out", released in 1969, showcased the quartet's blend of blues, progressive rock, heavy rock, and jazz-rock the latter thanks to Lancaster's jazzy saxophones and flutes. This first album became a classic of British progressive blues and is often cited as one of the genre's landmark works. A year later came their second LP, "Getting To This", which featured pianist Graham Waller as a guest musician. Unlike their previous progressive album, this new release leaned towards classic blues rock with experimental and diverse tones, subtly moving away from their jazz approach in a clear attempt to expand their sonic palette. Tracks like the rhythm and blues "Drive Me", the progressive folk jazz "Variations on Nainos", the bluesy folk "Long Bomb Blues" and "Toys", the progressive blues rock "San Francisco Sketches", and the jazzy "Send Your Son To Die" represented this ultimately unsuccessful attempt to explore new sonic horizons.