Return To Forever - Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (1973)

Return To Forever - Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy

  Of all the RTF albums I think "Hymn" is my personal favourite of the lot with its heavy space prog leanings.   Lenny White, Chick Corea and Stan Clarke.........I mean how can you go wrong .  The guitar work is done by Bill Connors who tears it up and would be replaced with Al Di Meola shortly.
  What makes this album so sweet is their overall space vibes and huge wall of fusion that surrounds these tracks.  There are three smaller epic tracks clocking in around the 9 mins marker.

"AFter the Cosmic Rain" is one of RTF's greatest moments IMHO with its memorable melody and fusion space variations .

Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight (2013)

Joe Bonamassa - Driving Towards The Daylight

  This is an excellent Album with some amazing moments and is a step back to more of the blues rock vein for Bonamassa.

Lyres - Lyres (1986)

Lyres - Lyres

Magma - 1.001 Centigrades (1970)

Magma - 1.001 Centigrades

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming (2013)

M83 - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming

lush, expansive sound already made their albums feel twice as big as they were, so an actual double album from Anthony Gonzalez

City & Colour - If I Should Go Before You (2012)

City & Colour - If I Should Go Before You  (2015)

The Last Shadow Puppets - Everything You've Come To Expect (2016)

The Last Shadow Puppets - Everything You've Come To Expect

A few years ago I heard the first Last Shadow Puppets album and could not stop playing it !    Well they are back again with a softer more contained album which I can't stop playing again !  

TLSP are the magical combo of Alex Turner and Miles Kane with producer and drummer James Ford, and Zach Dawes.

 

Elbow - The Take Off & Landing of Everything (2013)

Elbow - The Take Off & Landing of Everything

I have loved Elbow since I first heard their debut album and with every new recording they just keep getting better and better.

Steve Kuhn -Non-Fiction (1978)

Steve Kuhn  - Non Fiction
  If you are a jazz lover then I am sure you have stumbled across the wide ECM label and cast of world class musicians all produced by Manfred Eicher.    Non-Fiction is a 1978 ECM release featuring the inventive piano work of Steve Kuhn wig support by bass of Harvie Swartz, the great drumming of Bob Moses and sax, flute of Steve Slagle

 I think the cover of the album is very fitting and may be the best descriptor of the music actually.  A very bright album that seems to cut thru the wind like a comb!    Crazy eh !

 This album is also quite a workout but never gets too lost and carries themes that you will follow and pull put as the album unfolds.  Very progressive jazz influenced with top musicianship and sound quality.   Highlight for me is the 12 min tune "Alias Dash Grapey" which is an entire musical journey on its own !

Beautiful music for your ears

Zerfas (1973)

Zerfas (1973)

  David Zerfas (drummer) only released one album that I am aware of...and what an album !   Kind of a Beatles meet the Amboy Dukes  all swirled into one jelly mass!   Progressive yes........psychedelic yes......rock yes........

The Lollipop Shoppe ‎– Just Colour (1968)

 The Lollipop Shoppe ‎– Just Colour (1968)

  As far as I know this band only released one album in their short history of making music.  They shared the same manager as the band Love and The Seeds.

Happy Feeling (1970)

Happy Feeling (1970)

Gravenhurst - Offering (2014)

Gravenhurst - Offering  - 2000 - 2004 Lost Songs (2014)

  I guess this would be considered a compilation of demo and unreleased music, but it's simply awesome stuff for this music lover.

A fine collection of Nick Talbots ability to write endless haunting acoustic folk tinged tracks that just draw you in.   This is music you need to sit and listen to actively .....

Songs here are pulled from numerous sessions yet they seem to tie nicely together to form this album. It really does not run like a compilation album.

Seal - 7 (2015)

Seal - 7 (2015)

Seal's 7th album is a return to form with his natural pairing of work with producer Trevor Horn.  There is some drop dead great moments on this album with strong connections to his early great albums.  Seal has a superb voice and whether he is singing a ballad or rock or dance groove this guy shines.    7 is an excellent and the strongest album from Seal in my opinion is a long while.

Jerry Jeff Walker - Viva Terlingua (1973)

Jerry Jeff Walker - Viva Terlingua (1973)

Viva Terlingua was recorded live in Luckenbach, Texas and is among the most legendary of "live" singer/songwriter albums ever released.   Basically it's the "Frampton Comes Alive" for the rednecks out there !

Rare Earth - Back To Earth (1975)

Rare Earth - Back To Earth (1975)

Clannad - 2 (1974)

Clannad - 2 (1974)

REM - Green (1988)

REM - Green (1988)

Fundadelic - Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On (1974)

Fundadelic - Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On

  Originally released in 1974, Standing On The Verge Of Getting It On, is the sixth album from GEORGE CLINTON's pioneering, funk-rock outfit. This album features the return of the blistering guitar work of EDDIE HAZEL, along with the consistently brilliant keyboards of future  BERNIE WORRELL. 

Mandala - Soul Crusade (1968)

Mandala - Soul Crusade (1968)

  Originally known as The Rogues, Canada's Mandala were a mix of Psychedelic , Soul &R&B.   Mandala's front man and bandleader Domenic Troiano (guitar) were knowns as on the Toronto's best live shows with thier psychedlic high energy stage presence.    Josef Chirowski (keys), Don Elloit (bass), George Olliver(vocals) and Whitey Glan(drums) finsih off the band members .

The Asteroid #4 (2013)

The Asteroid #4

 This self titled LP is actually the 9th album released by Philly's psychedelic band The Asteroid #4.   Wow.....what a great album and fabulous recording quality too.  This album will transport your mind into a different world.  I have followed this band for a long time and have enjoyed all thier albums but no question this one ranks right up there for me.

 

The Zombies - BBC Radio Sessions

The Zombies - BBC Radio Session

  If you loved the Beatles at the BBC and you are a Zombies fan then this double LP set fresh from 2015's Record Store Day is a necessity!   In a very similar format the the Beatles BBC albums this one combines interviews and transitions into music.

These rare songs recorded live in the BBC  studio were recorded between 1964 and 1968.

  What a treasure trove of rare songs and old interviews that will please all Zombie fans.......there is a rare piano version of "Tell Her No" as the organ was being repaired so they had to use the piano.  Sound quality starts off a bit weak from their first BBC appearance to much later when we hit some great sound.    Again just like the Beatles BBC transcription services sound quality.

  God love Record Store Day releases !!!!!!

Nick Lowe - Jesus of Cool (1978)

Nick Lowe - Jesus of Cool (1978)

  One of the great 70's power-pop albums of all time.  I am a big Nick Lowe fan but this album is extra special and remains for me his finest hour.  This double color vinyl edition contains the original UK and US versions with a handful of rare and unreleased songs making this a wonderful mix for fans of the album.

  Lots of driving guitar rock riffs and that happy power pop beat all surrounded by some highly memorable tunes.