Smith/Kotzen-Smith/Kotzen (2021)

In 2021, two of the greatest guitarists of the latter part of the last century, Adrian Smith (Iron Maiden) and Ritchie Kotzen (Poison and Mr. Big, in addition to his extensive solo career), decided to join forces to form the Smith/Kotzen project and release an outstanding repertoire of songs that make up their debut album. For this album, they enlisted drummers Nicko McBrain (Iron Maiden) and Tal Bergman, while the rest of the instruments were played by Kotzen and Smith themselves. What we find here is a wide variety of styles focused on the electric guitar, as one would expect, from mammoth funk rock tracks like "Taking My Chances" and "Some People", to hard rock bangers like "Running" and "Til Tomorrow", passing through bluesy numbers like "Scars" and "I Wanna Stay", or exquisite melodic rock like "Glory Road" and "You Don't Know Me". Without a doubt, this is an excellent debut, which would be followed four years later by the album "Black Light/White Noise".

Dan Fogelberg-Phoenix (1979)

Dan Fogelberg was one of the most exquisite folk and country rock singer-songwriters of the 1970s, with a discography brimming with hits, as evidenced by his first six albums, all of which went platinum and ultimately made him one of the most significant artists of the genre and a true idol in the United States. Dan Fogelberg was also a frequent collaborator on the work of other great artists such as Jackson Browne, Roger McGuinn, and Randy Newman. From his second album, "Souvenirs" (1974), Dan had the support of some members of The Eagles, such as Joe Walsh, Don Henley, and Glenn Frey, as well as other legendary musicians like Gerry Beckley of America, Al Perkins of The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Graham Nash. In the following years, Dan Fogelberg released a series of brilliant folk and country rock albums such as "Captured Angel" (1975), "Nether Lands" (1977), and "Phoenix" (1979). The latter was his greatest commercial success, selling over two million copies and reaching number three on the US Billboard charts. It included "Longer", one of his most iconic songs and a number one hit, as well as other appealing tracks like the country rock songs "Phoenix" and "Face the Fire", the beautiful, intimate folk song "Gypsy Wind", and the irresistible and captivating soft rock songs "The Last to Know", "Beggar's Game" and "Heart Hotels".

Crosswind-Crosswind (1978)

Crosswind was another of the most important Japanese jazz-rock bands, a natural competitor to others like the legendary Cassiopeia or Space Circus. However, Crosswind focused on atmospheric and progressive sounds with intricate compositions far removed from the funk-rock fusion of their contemporaries. Along with another highly popular band like Space Circus, Crosswind was fundamental in the evolution of Japanese rock. They bridged the gap between the era of hard rock and Japanese space rock, exemplified by bands like Flower Travelling Band or Far East Family, and the progressive hard-rock jazz sounds of Kenso or Ain Soph. Formed in the mid-seventies by the virtuoso guitarist Ginji Ogawa, who already had an extensive musical career in bands like Nezuma Kozo, Crosswind had earned a great reputation in the Japanese jazz scene. In 1976, Ogawa recruited bassist Kazou Kobayashi, drummer Souro Toru, and keyboardists Megumi Marou and Fumitaka Anzai, with whom he released his debut album, "Crosswind", two years later. On this first album, the band showcased the virtuosity of their guitarist and the duality of the two keyboardists alongside a powerful and dynamic rhythm section, as demonstrated in the tracks "Ari No Daiido" and "Crosswind", while a fusion influence is present in the relaxed "Neko To Kororin no Fushigina Tabi". On the other hand, the atmospheric and progressive side appears in the evocative "Ryuhyo" and "Yuyake". This first album was followed by “Crosswind II” (1979) and “Soshite Yume No Kumi E” (1982), after which the journey of this formidable band came to an end, with all its members going on to take part in independent projects.

McPhee-McPhee (1971)

Hailing from Australia, McPhee were a strange and obscure psychedelic rock band whose single album, released in 1971, has earned them a place among the rare gems of the rock world. The lineup consisted of vocalist and organist Jim Daverell, singer Faye Lewis, guitarist Tony Joyce, drummer Terry Popple, and bassist Benny Kaika. Their style straddled proto-progressive rock and acid rock, characterized by powerful vocals, sharp guitars, and a prominent organ, all underpinned by a solid and driving rhythm section. Their only album, released on the Violets Holidays label, features original songs and covers, including a spectacular rendition of Neil Young's "Southern Man", which they elevate to a breathtaking psychedelic climax. Another standout cover is "Wrong Time", originally by Spooky Tooth, which they transform into an epic progressive hard rock anthem, while "Sunday Shuffle" showcases the band's melodic side with a good dose of addictive rock and roll. Meanwhile, with "Indian Rope Man", they return to hard rock with progressive touches. The Beatles' "I Am The Walrus" takes center stage here with a hypnotic and dark version full of raw energy, before concluding with the expansive psychedelic jam "Out to Lunch".

Chuck Berry-The Anthology (2000)

Chuck Berry is one of the great pioneers of rock and roll, as influential as Elvis Presley or The Beatles, and one of the best songwriters the genre has ever known, a fundamental figure in the history of rock music. Chuck Berry began his long career as a rock and roll songwriter and guitarist in the mid-1950s. This legendary artist composed countless songs that have become classics of the genre, such as "Roll Over Beethoven", "Johnny B. Goode", "Rock and Roll Music", "School Day", "Carol", "Sweet Little Sixteen", "Memphis, Tennessee", "Reelin' and Rockin' ", "Around and Around", "Little Queenie", and "Too Much Monkey Business". Bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, among many others, have covered his songs countless times. The song "Roll Over Beethoven" reached number 29 on the charts, but the Beatles received a gold record for it in 1965. Chuck Berry influenced musicians such as Ritchie Valens, Bill Haley, Little Richard, and Buddy Holly, among many others. He created the famous "Duck Walk". Legend has it that one day he arrived at a concert without time to change, and to avoid being noticed for his wrinkled clothes, Berry began waddling around the stage like a duck. In 1972, his song "My Ding-A-Ling" reached number one on the charts in both the US and Great Britain. Among the musicians who have been part of the bands that have supported him were Bruce Springsteen and Steve Miller. His music has even reached space. In 1979, when NASA sent the Voyager probe into space, it carried a tape of his music as a testament to human civilization. That tape contained, in addition to Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" and Mozart's "The Magic Flute," Chuck Berry's song "Go, Johnny, Go, Go". The musician has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984. He is also a member of two Halls of Fame: the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. His guitar riffs have been endlessly imitated by rock guitarists. His artistic career was one of the longest in rock music, spanning from 1953 until his death in 2017. In 2000, Chess Records released the double compilation album "Anthology", featuring 50 of his best songs, almost all of them classics of the genre and fundamental pieces in the history of rock.

Harvey Mandel-Shangrenade (1973)

A pioneer of modern Chicago electric blues, Harvey Mandel developed and mastered sustained and controlled feedback like no other, showcasing great virtuosity on the electric guitar and creating techniques that were incorporated by countless subsequent guitarists, such as Eddie Van Halen and the two-handed tapping method. Throughout his long career, Harvey Mandel performed alongside blues legends such as Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, and Howlin' Wolf, in addition to collaborating on albums by The Rolling Stones and Canned Heat. In 1966, together with the legendary blues harmonica player Charlie Musselwhite, he released the album "Stand Back! Here Comes Charlie Musselwhite's Southside Band", considered one of the most iconic albums in blues and rock and roll. Two years later, Mandel released his first solo album, "Christ the Redeemer", where he confirmed his enormous talent on the electric guitar, presenting a series of blues-focused tracks. The late sixties were a frenetic time for Mandel, as he collaborated frequently with other artists such as Barry Goldberg, Graham Bond, John Mayall, and Canned Heat, with whom he performed at the legendary Woodstock festival, replacing guitarist Henry Vestine. It was during this period that he began his professional relationship with Don "Sugarcane" Harris, who would become a regular collaborator on all his subsequent work. However, Mandel never abandoned his solo career, regularly releasing blues-rock albums such as "Righteous" (1968), "Games Guitars Play" (1970), "Baby Batter" (1971), and "The Snake" (1972). On "Shangrenade", his seventh album, the blues gives way to more jazzy and funky sounds, resulting in a work that is both captivating and evocative, showcasing his six-string technique throughout the entire record. Excellent efforts focused on jazz-funk such as "What The Funk" alternate with others of a clear jazz-rock nature such as "Fish Walk" or "Sugarloaf", approaches to rock such as "Midnight Sun Li" or relaxed jazz fusion tracks such as "Green Apple Quickstep" or "Million Dollar Feeling".

Eric Clapton-From The Cradle (1994)

In 1994, Eric Clapton returned to his blues roots with his twelfth solo studio album after his recent forays into mainstream rock/pop. Composed mostly of blues classics, the album featured a small core group of musicians, including Jim Keltner (drums), Dave Bronze (bass), Jerry Portnoy (harmonica), and Andy Fairweather-Low (guitar). With this new record, Clapton saw the return of his most devoted fans, those who admired his extraordinary guitar skills and his profound blues feeling on the six strings. For the occasion, the guitarist chose a splendid selection of legendary blues tracks such as "Third Degree", "Standin' Round Crying", "Hoochie Coochie Man", "Reconsider Baby", "Motherless Child", and "How Long Blues", demonstrating in each one his immense emotion and purest blues essence, masterfully interpreting each of the songs presented here. A number one hit on the charts in the United States and England, as well as very high positions in a dozen other countries, led to over six million albums sold worldwide.

Osibisa-Osibisa (1971)

Osibisa released their debut album in 1971. In this first work, the Afro-British band showcased a brilliant fusion of psychedelic Afro-pop and jazz-rock sounds, magnificently captured by a group of outstanding instrumentalists and vibrant, energetic compositions. Tracks like the beautifully arranged “The Dawan” and the joyful jazz-rock “Music For The Gong Gong” demonstrate the group's sonic diversity, while the superb “Ayiko Bia”, the dynamic “Oranges”, and the sublime “Phallus C”, perfectly encapsulate Osibisa's style with soaring saxophone, organ, and guitar lines, supported by simply masterful percussion. In conclusion, this is undoubtedly one of the best jazz-funk-afro-pop-rock albums ever released and would elevate Osibisa even though in subsequent years they would release other major works such as "Woyaya" (1972), "Heads" (1973), or the magnificent double live album "Black Magic Night; Live At The Royal Festival Hall" (1977).

Crown Lands-Fearless (2023)

One of the latest surprises to emerge from Canada is the duo Crown Lands, a group formed in 2015 by vocalist and drummer Cody Bowles and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Comeau. Their style, clearly influenced by their compatriots Rush, is characterized by its science fiction and epic themes, as well as the talented musicianship of its members. After an intriguing self-titled debut album released in 2020, they worked hard on their second full-length album, "Fearless," which showcases their clear influences from Rush's golden era. Epic tracks like "Starlifter: Fearless Pt. II" also reveal other rock roots, ranging from the ambiguous rock of Nazareth to the powerful sound of fellow Canadians Triumph, resulting in a remarkable work that seamlessly and originally blends different styles. The hard rock tracks "Dreamer of the Dawn" and "The Shadows" leave us with a taste of 70s sounds, while in other cuts like "Citadel" or "Lady of the Lake", the Zeppelin influences are more than evident. Ultimately, this album is a good sampler of what this band could offer in the coming years, despite its clear and evident stylistic connotations and influences from the trio of Geddy Lee, Neil Peart, and Alex Lifeson.

Starcastle-Fountains of Light (1977)

The second album from this American band, often unfairly compared to the British band Yes, showcases a more polished and refined sound, along with a much more meticulous production, unlike their debut. The vocal harmonies, reminiscent of Jon Anderson's, the excellent bass lines, the driving organ and Moog synthesizer solos, and the brilliant interplay between the two guitarists result in melodic and catchy compositions delivered through energetic arrangements. The orchestral guitar and keyboard combinations during the symphonic passages sometimes evoke the sound of their compatriots Kansas, but with a more commercial edge, leaning towards AOR. Songs like "Fountains", "Dawning of the Day", "True to the Light", and "Diamond Song (Deep is the Light)", reflect these characteristics, while the bucolic "Portraits" highlights the band's folk-rock side. In short, this second album is an excellent continuation of their enormous debut album, which kept Starcastle among the leading progressive rock bands of the late 70s.