Winds Of Change
Progressive Sounds Of 1973
Esoteric
★★★★

ANOTHER four-CD set when album-oriented rock dominated record sales, with legions of gig-goers, dedicated radio shows like Sounds Of The Seventies, pre-punk Top Gear, TV’s Whistle Test and record companies ran progressive labels such as Vertigo, Harvest, Charisma and Deram.

But it wasn’t all Spinal Tap-styled pomp-rock with semi-orchestral music such as ELP’s Jerusalem or ELO’s In Old England Town or even winsome, trippy numbers.

In the mix were jazz, folk, country and blues rock and well-established bands including, Procol Harum, Traffic, Caravan and Welsh rockers Man.

Bands like Hawkwind, Budgie, Curved Air and Family had loyal followings and remnants of the ’60s counter-culture were around, including Kevin Ayres, Gong, Arthur Brown and Edgar Broughton’s powerhouse outfit.

Next stop was punk and we all know what happened then!

Robert Jon & The Wreck
Wreckage Volume 2
KTBA
★★★★

ROBERT JON & The Wreck were formed in February 2011 and hail from southern California.

Over five albums they have built a solid reputation as a top-class Southern rock band after extensive touring of the US and Europe.

Consisting of Robert Jon Burrison (vocals/guitar), Andrew Espantman (drums/vocals), Steve Maggiora (keyboards/vocals), Nick Phakpiseth (bass), this is a retrospective career-spanning set recorded live in the studio, including the Sunset Sound studio in Los Angeles.

Featuring 10 tracks, including fan favourites On The Run and Cannonball, as well as debut songs and great sides including She’s A Fighter, Waiting For Your Man, Old Hotel Room and cover of The Band’s classic The Weight.

Fans of the Allman Brothers, the Georgia Satellites and the Kentucky Headhunters should check them out. The band tour here in February next year.

John Fusco
Boarderlands
Rocket 88
★★★★

SCREENWRITER, producer and TV series creator John Fusco waxed his debut album in 2019, followed up with a double set in 2021.

In the 1970s he travelled the south-eastern US searching out blues artists which inspired him to write the screen play for the 1986 blues movie Crossroads.

Fusco plays Hammond organ, harmonica and sings — his music is best described as Americana based on blues, gospel, alt country and desert rock. Fusco calls it “The wild west soul of America.”  

The linchpin sides include Horseback Jesus, about a senseless murder, Cayote Man — an alien guide who abandons his clients in the desert — and another about a saloon owner who seduces piano-players with drugs, alcohol and sex only to dump them when she meets her next piano player.

Boosted by slide guitar, dobro and a fifth-generation fiddle-player, it’s strong stuff.