Man-Maximum Darkness (1975)

Along with Budgie, Man are one of Wales' most iconic bands, boasting a long and highly respected career in the rock world, with great studio albums and numerous live recordings, the latter the fruit of their endless tours around the globe. For all these reasons, Man are mostly known for their spectacular live shows, so it's no surprise that they've released so many live albums. "Maximum Darkness", their second live album, was recorded on May 26, 1975, at The Roundhouse in London during the tour promoting their ninth studio album, "Slow Motion" (1974), and would be the last released by United Artists, originally coming out near the end of 1975. The Man lineup that night consisted of Micky Jones (guitar, vocals), Deke Leonard (guitar, piano, vocals), Martin Ace (bass, vocals), Terry Williams (drums, vocals), and, as a guest, the legendary former Quicksilver Messenger Service member, John Cipollina, on guitar. Cipollina's contribution is decisive in shaping this live album, which showcases a sound inherited from the psychedelic rock of the American West Coast. He frequently features his lead guitar solos on tracks like "7171-551" and "Codeine", the latter with a distinct American acid rock and blues flavor that wouldn't have been out of place on any of the Grateful Dead or Quicksilver Messenger albums. The hard-hitting blues rock is present in "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You", while guitar jams appear on the superb "Man Are Called, But Few Get Up", an outstanding track featuring guitar solos from all three of the band's guitarists. This brilliant album concludes with the exhilarating hard rock track "Bananas", where the six-string skills of the trio of Jones, Leonard, and Cipollina once again shine.