Animal Logic
Artist: Animal Logic
Community Score: 10.00

Animal Logic is the kind of band that could've existed only in the late '80s -- a cross between fusion, art rock, and album rock, all blended with a slight eye on the charts. Since Stewart Copeland and Stanley Clarke provided the musical backbone of the project, there's little question that the outfit had the potential to be a dynamic... Read More

Master Strokes: 1978-1985
Artist: Bill Bruford

When you're a drummer playing behind the vocal heights of Jon Anderson, the guitar virtuosity of Steve Howe, or the keyboard genius of Rick Wakeman, you may expect to be disregarded from time to time. Aside from die-hard fans of Yes or King Crimson, Bill Bruford's drumming is taken for granted more often than not, when in fact he's one of the... Read More

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

Mysterious Barricades
Artist: Andy Summers

The former Police guitarist’s first solo instrumental album turns out to be a gentle, thoroughly domesticated continuation of his looping soundscapes with Robert Fripp earlier in the 1980s ("I Advance Masked”). Keyboardist David Hentschel is a co-conspirator on several tracks, though Summers is perfectly content to go it alone on others. With... Read More

Late Nite
Artist: Neal Schon

At age 15, Neal Schon landed job offers from both Carlos Santana and Eric Clapton - in the same week! Schon would eventually join Santana where he would meet keyboardist Greg Rolie. After a short stint with Santana, Schon and Rolie would leave to form the super successful Journey. Despite Journey's ascension to the pinnacle of the rock world,... Read More

No Habla
Artist: Robbie Krieger

There is no doubt that Robby Krieger is one of the most underrated West Coast guitar players ever. His playing (and songwriting) in the Doors recorded legacy is, in a word, striking. Mixing blues, rock, jazz, and fluid Flamenco stylings, Krieger always came up with a fresh synthesis; he was a true original. This album, all instrumental, is... Read More

With a Heart in My Song
Artist: Allan Holdsworth & Gordon Beck
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

The Bruford Tapes
Artist: Bill Bruford

A live NY radio broadcast by Bruford and his band in July 1979, featuring material from his "Feels Good to Me" and "One of a Kind" albums. Although the mix is shaky, the playing is not. Bruford rules the roost with his inimitable "pong" rim-shot sound and droll stage patter, and Dave Stewart's keyboards especially benefit from a heavier,... 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

If Summer Had Its Ghosts
Artist: Bill Bruford

On this primarily acoustic trio recording, drummer Bruford, bassist Eddie Gomez and pianist/guitarist Ralph Towner create some lush, wondrous, spontaneous, melodic music. It has jazz roots, improvisational branches and elfen extensions. There's no gimmickry or pretension, Bruford does add some sampled colors and Towner overdubs his instruments,... Read More