Product
Artist: Brand X
Community Score: 10.00

Brand X's most eclectic album to date, Product is perhaps most notable for its attempts at a pop crossover in the Phil Collins-sung "Don't Make Waves" and "Soho." The range of styles presented here -- hard and soft fusion, pop, progressive rock -- results from the now-interchangeable nature of the Brand X lineup, which, in addition to the... Read More

The Collector's Edition
Artist: Mick Karn

Back in '93 I paid about $20 to get in and hear the last few songs by a group called Polytown. I had heard none of their music, but knowledge of the lineup allowed me to make such a spontaneous decision. The Polytowntrio was Terry Bozzio (drums), David Torn (guitar) and on bass, Mick Karn (Japan). I never missed that twenty spot. Two of its... Read More

Samurai Samba
Artist: The Yellowjackets
Community Score: 8.00
Chris Hunter
Artist: Chris Hunter
Jazz From Hell
Artist: Frank Zappa
Community Score: 7.71

This is an album of jazz-rock-oriented instrumental music that, with the exception of the track "St. Etienne," was recorded on the Synclavier music synthesizer. As an expression of Frank Zappa's more popular music styles, it ranks in execution with such albums as Hot Rats. It is the winner of a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance... Read More

Old Masters Box 1 - ABCDE + NEW
Artist: Frank Zappa & the Mothers

This is a seven-LP box set that contains Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention's first five albums -- Freak Out!, Absolutely Free, We're Only In It For The Money, Lumpy Gravy, and Cruising With Ruben & The Jets -- originally released between 1966 and 1968, plus a "Mystery Disc" of previously unreleased material from the era and earlier. Note... Read More

The Marblehead Messenger
Artist: Seatrain
Community Score: 10.00

More of the same, in this case, doesn't mean more hits. Marblehead Messenger, while better played and sung, didn't have the appeal that their previous effort seemed to. But it is much more of a band effort, and the tunes are well worth seeking out and enjoying. A forgotten jewel of its time. ~ James Chrispell, All Music Guide Read More

What If
Artist: The Dixie Dregs
Community Score: 9.00

Calling the Dixie Dregs a fusion band doesn't really do them justice. Granted, their music is full of the complicated forms, jazz-influenced improvisations, and heavy rock attitude of the genre, but the Dregs also incorporate country, folk, and classical elements into their compositions. Although there is more than a little of the 1970's fusion... Read More

Metal Fatigue
Artist: Allan Holdsworth
Community Score: 7.17

Criminally unknown and underappreciated, Allan Holdsworth is one of the greatest musicians ever to pick up the electric guitar. Here, on 1985's Metal Fatigue, everything finally comes together for him. For the majority of this record, Holdsworth is joined by bassist Jimmy Johnson and drummer Chad Wackerman, and these two musicians, virtuosos in... Read More

Night of the Living Dregs
Artist: The Dixie Dregs
Community Score: 8.50
The Best of the Dregs: Divided We Stand
Artist: The Dixie Dregs

Although brief, Divided We Stand: The Best of Dregs is a good overview of highlights of the jazzy Southern rock group's stint at Capricorn Records. A live version of "Refried Funky Chicken" is added as bait for hardcore fans, but its true strength is how it offers an even-handed retrospective of what is arguably the group's prime period. ~... Read More

X-Trax
Artist: Brand X

An excellent 13-track compilation CD, it features a great selection of material from all their albums. ~ Paul Kohler, All Music Guide Read More