Judy Collins "Wildflowers" 1967****

Like most folk singers, Judy Collins started her career as an interpreter of traditional ballads. Pretty soon, though, she differentiated by choosing material by contemporary singer songwriters - starting with a young Bob Dylan in '63, and discovering a not-so-young songwriter called Leonard Cohen in 1966. At the time, the 30-something (practically middle aged, by 60's pop standards) Canadian was somewhat frustrated by his lack of success as a writer, and had just started trying to put his poems to music. He was nevertheless not confident and had never performed publicly before Collins took him under her wing, asking him to appear as a guest at a fundraiser she did, and then at a TV show she starred in. In '66, she included two of his songs in her 6th (and first gold-certified) LP, In My Life. With Cohen's fame as songwriter still not taking off, she decided to include three more of his songs in this follow-up, Wildflowers: here, modern classics "Sisters of Mercy" and "Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye" first saw the light of day, months before Cohen included them in his own debut LP. A third composition called "Priests" was never recorded by him. Always on the lookout for fresh talent, Collins decided to promote another unknown Canadian songwriter; this time a young lady called Joni Mitchell. She chose "Michael from Mountains" and "Both Sides Now" - later to appear in Mitchell's debut and her 2nd LP, respectively. Next to the ballads from the two unknown Canadians, she also included two foreign language songs: "La chanson des vieux amants" by French-Belgian Jacques Brel, and "Lasso! di donna" by medieval Florentine composer Francesco Landini. Lastly, she makes the transition from interpreter to songwriter, by including for the fist time three of her own compositions. These are soothing, meditative, pieces in sync with the rest of the album. "Albatross" in particular is quite impressive, from the poetic lyrics to the neo-classical arrangements by Joshua Rifkin, then a talented young Julliard graduate, and later a renowned Bach scholar. To me, the orchestral arrangements in this album are as big a part of its charm as Collins's crystal voice is. Rich, but also light and thoughtful, never bombastic or overtly sentimental as is often the case in pop music. The result is a baroque-pop-folk sound presaging what Renaissance and other prog bands did in the 70's. Of course, the album also includes a bona fide baroque ballad in the excellent "A Ballata of Francesco Landini - Lasso! di donna". Mitchell's "Both Sides Now" is the relatively most upbeat track; it was also released as a single, providing Collins with her first Top 10 as well as her first Grammy award. On the whole, listening to Wildflowers is a soothing experience, albeit not in a muzak way but in a deeper, more meditative, and ultimately satisfying, manner. To me, it is an album to get on CD - the pops and clicks of vinyl can get quite annoying when listening to atmospheric music on your stereo. I actually got this very cheaply, as part of the Original Album Series - a series that collects 5 albums in a small cardboard box - each CD is housed in a simple cardboard sleeve replicating the original vinyl album cover. Prices vary, but usually less than €20. It's a great way to familiarize yourself with the discography of an artist: instead of a single compilation, which is how I usually approach artists I want to get acquainted with, you get 5 original albums for the same price. Later, if one loves what they hear, they can always get it on vinyl.

***** for Sisters of Mercy, Albatross

**** for Since You Asked, A Ballata of Francesco Landini - Lasso! di donna, Both Sides Now, La chanson des vieux amants (The Song of Old Lovers), Hey That's No Way to Say Goodbye

*** for Michael from Mountains, Priests, Sky Fell

Madrid Record Stores

Last month I visited Madrid for the first time. I've been to Spain many many times before, but hadn't been to the capital until recently. The trip didn't turn out to be all I hoped, because I contracted the COVID-19 virus and spent most of my time inside an Air BnB. So I didn't go to the Prado museum, and only got to visit 4 or 5 different tapas bars and vermoutherias - not bad for one evening, but still... Worse still, I had to sell my tickets to see Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band at the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano. But on the bright side, I got to complete my ritual of mapping the city's record stores - at least the ones witin walking distance of the city center. As always, I'd like to share my impessions with you. First of all, I'm glad to report that Madrid does have a commecial center. Remember how I said that L.A. was so spread out that it was impossible to visit all the shops I wanted to? Madrid City has about the same population with the city of Los Angeles while its metropolitan area is about half than that of LA, which is still pretty huge. Yet while in LA the places I wanted to vist were an hour's drive away from each other, here I could walk from one to the next. Priceless! We stayed at Lavapiés, a lively multicultural neighborhood at the center of Madrid, which helped me organize my record hunting stroll by dividing it in two clusters; the bigger one was North of Plaza Mayor:

According to the notes I made before my visit, two of the must-visit record stores of the city are called La Metralleta and Discos La Metralleta. "Not to be confused" - because who would confuse two shops situated next to each other, with the same logo and (almost) the same name? Seriously folks? "The Machine Gun"? Does that scream "vinyl" to you? Is it such a great title that one of you can't rename their store to avoid the confusion? Not that the identical names are the only source of confusion: The addresses I got were "Plaza San Martín nº 1-B", and "Aparcamiento Descalzas, C. del Postigo de San Martín". I put them in googlemaps, and arrived at a roundabout facing the ancient walls of a Catholic monastery. I went around the plaza a couple of times; no sign of a record store anywhere. Then I noticed the entrance to a "parking lot"; I descended the stairs and arrived to the underground shopping gallery where both shops are housed. Discos La Metralleta is a big basement shop with a big selection of used vinyl (LPs €6-30, median €9). All kinds of genres: pop, rock, spanish, soul, latin, jazz etc. There are even more CDs (mostly €3-5, some €6-9) as well as singles. The other shop (La Metralleta?) is almost equally large. There's also lot of classic rock, jazz and soul, but I was especially satisfied with its collection of heavy metal, punk, and garage rock. New LPs cost €15-25, used €5-20, CDs €3-8. The shop also sells singles and T-shirts. Both shops offer some random albums for €1-2, though I couldn't find anthing of interest at that price. Interestingly, in any Spanish record store, at least one third of the records and CDs will be by local bands/artists singing in their own language. In most European countries, that would be more like 10%. Next stop La Gramola (Postigo de San Martín 4). Here you can get LPs (used €10-35 new €25+) CDs (offers €6, new €10+), posters, t-shirts, singles etc. Very close (C. de las Navas de Tolosa, 4) there's a shop called Escridiscos. Especially good for rare album reissues, Spanish rock, prog, psychedelic, and punk. New LPs mostly €15-25 used €10-20. Many offers (classic rock, alternative, soul etc.) for €7-10, and discounts 10-40% depending on the number of records you buy. Not far from there, two more record stores close to each other: Discos Babel (Calle de Costanilla de Los Ángeles 5) has a nice collection of folk, 60s and 70s garage/psych, progressive, classic rock, punk/new wave. Used vinyl mostly (€15-25) as well as a few CDs, books and DVDs. Neatly catalogued by style and decade. Right next to it, there's another nice record store called Discos Bangladesh. Great selection of LPs (€12-35, median price for used €15), CDs (new, €10-15) and singles. Arranged by style, good for heavy rock, garage/punk, classic rock/prog. Just a note: in Spain, alphabetical order often means by first name, so expect to find Bruce Springsteen on B, next to The Beatles and Bob Dylan.

A bit to the east of these, one can find Discos Killers. It's on a nice pedestrian street (Calle de la Montera, 28) with lots of shops and cafes, but the shop itself is nothing special. There's some random cheap LPs (€1-3). The rest (Spanish/soul/folk/pop/rock) costs mostly €9-25 (used) and €20-35 (new). Also somesingles and (new) CDs €9-15. Close to Gran Via (Preciados 28) one can find a big FNAC store. Most Europeans will be familiar with this department store chain that focuses on books, music, movies, and electronics. One floor is dedicated to vinyl (€20-30) and CDs (€10-20), as well as books, comics, DVDs and toys. No second hand stuff, of course. Sun Records (Pl. de Santo Domingo 8) was a relative disappointment for me. I love rock & metal music, which this shop specializes in, but there were very few LPs (€25-40), while the CDs (€6-18) were not displayed in a browse-friendly manner. It gave off a sort of decadent feel, in general. The opposite of Marilians (C. del Noviciado 9): this place is modern, clean, and cosy, probably the best place for alternative rock and indie labels, without ignoring the classics of course. New LP's only, €20-35. This shop is near the Noviciado metro station. To the east, there's a nice neighbourhood with vintage clothing stores and tapas bars, as well as record stores including one called Jazz y Mas  (C. de la Palma 28). This place has two entrances: the smaller corner one contains the books and CD's, while the bigger section is the vinyl shop. About 50% of it is jazz records, the rest are pop, rock, and classical. Almost exclusively new vinyl €25-50. You may not be surprised to hear that they have a very deep jazz selection. There's a number of other shops in the neighborhood mostly selling electronic music - thus, of  limited interest to me: El Almacén de Discos (C. de las Minas 13) is big, but not very full. Next to house and techno, one can find some ethnic, jazz, funk and rock LPs (used €10-30). Palma 39 (C. de la Palma 39) is a small vinyl shop focusing on electro, industrial & EBM, while Recycled Music Center and Fripperie (Corre. Baja de San Pablo 34) sells used records (techno/electro, also some jazz, disco, and new wave). I wasn't familiar with any of them, which doesn't happen often. But the same was also true of Ater Cosmo vinyl store, seemingly only selling electronic music by tiny indie labels. Last record shop I visted in the north of Plaza Mayor cluster was Lost Things Libros & Discos (Calle del Barco 43). The sign above the door reads L st Th ngs. They've lost an o and an i - if it is wordplay with the shop's name, it's f-ing clever. More likely though, it's one of those coincidences. They deal with 2nd hand books and records, Spanish and international pop/rock/folk. Random stuff, with luck one may find something interesting (used LPs €8-20). Also lots of books, a few CDs and singles. I'll add a few places that I either didn't have the time to visit or didn't catch open: Rock & Roll Circus (C. de las Conchas, 4), Rotor Discos (Gran Vía 40, electronic music), Discpol (C/ de Jesús del Valle 8, mostly secondhand vinyl), Nakasha (C. de Andrés Mellado 24. Vinyl, CD, T-shirts etc).

After recovering from the sickness, and with only one day to spare in Madrid, I was able to complete my round of the city's record stores by visiting the South of Plaza Mayor cluster: Bajo El Volcán is probably the biggest of the bunch, spread in two floors: the upper floor is clean and cozy; here you'll find new vinyl (€20-30), books and rare 2nd hand LPs (€25-90). Mainly soul, jazz, indie etc. In the basement there's more used vinyl, mainly rock/blues/soul from the 60s,70s,80s (€5-20, but also crates of €2). Another relatively big shop is Discos Ziggy (C. De Los Estudios 6). Here, you'll find lots of cheap DVDs, CDs (used €5-10) and T-shirts (€15). New (€25-35) and used LPs (€10-25) from all decades (rockabilly/classic rock/garage/metal). Discos Satelite (C/ de la Ribera de Curtidores 8) has a few €1 singles and CDs at its front, while the front room dedicated to 60s-70s pop/rock (LPs €10-20, CDs €5-10) and the back room to Spanish and world music, jazz, indie, and funk. 

As I am a dentist by profession, the name Molar Discos Y Libros caught my attention. What do molars have to do with books and music? A visit to the shop didn't solve the mystery. Granted, I didn't chat about it with the clerk; I rarely do, and even less in Spain where I know that not everyone speaks English. The shop didn't have a huge selection of records, but it was an interesting one: lots of indie labels, punk rock/alternative/electronic/jazz etc (new, €20-30). Some rarities, possibly bootlegs. Another shop in the neighborhood is Liquidator Music: a place with good vibes, specialized in reggae/ska/african music/60s beat/garage punk/exotica. LPs for €15-30, lots of singles, and some CDs. From here on south, there's a region full of antique shops, among which some record stores. Skinny Records & Lola Vintage  (C. de la Encomienda 12) combines vintage fashion and music. Stylish exterior, but I didn't catch it open. Same with Satanasa (Cjón. del Mellizo 6), which only opens on Sunday. Sin Moralla Discos y Libros (Plaza del Gral. Vara de Rey 5) has some crates with used records, including original LPs from the 60s/70s (jazz/rock/latin, €10-35). Finally, an interesting shop I didn't visit (it was a bit further away on Calle de las Delicias 25, near the train station) is Delia Records. 

That makes about two dozen record stores, which I managed to visit during my latest Madrid trip - despite getting sick with COVID. Of course, I only went inside the shops after I was completely symptom free, wearing a mask to ensure that I wouldn't pass the virus on. But, while I did OK on the record hunting front, I have less to share with you about the city's culture, food, and nightlife. I intend to make up for that next year. To round it up, I decided to share with you the notes I made before the visit, based on info from googlemaps and various other websites; here, you'll also find the opening times for each store - which is crucial in Spain, because shops mostly close in the afternoon for lunch/siesta, but not all of them at the same time.

CLUSTER 1 - EMPAJADORES & SOUTH OF PLAZA MAJOR

DISCOS ZIGGY*** C. De Los Estudios 6 - open 10:00-20:30

Rara Avis Store** Mercado de la Cebada, Puesto 142, Pl. de la Cebada (Goth-punk-alternative) Saturday 12:00-15:30

Molar Records & Books** C. de la Ruda, open 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00 (gifts,records)

Skinny Records & Lola Vintage** C. de la Encomienda, 12, open 11:30-14:00, 17:00-20:00 (retro fashion, records)

Liquidator Music*** C. de las Dos Hermanas, 22,, open 11:30-14:00, 17:00-20:00 (reggae-latin-jazz-soul)

Sin Morralla Records & Books** Plaza del Gral. Vara de Rey, 5 open Wed-Fri 17:00-20:30, Sat-Sun 11:00-14:00 (jazz-rock-latiSpanjen-soul)

Discos Satelite*** C/ de la Ribera de Curtidores, 8 open: Mon-Fri 16:30-20:30, Sat-Sun 10:00-14:00

Bajoelvolcán*** C. del Ave María, 42,  Mon-Sat 11:30-14:00, 17:00 -21:00 (new & very big selection used basement. Rock, Jazz, Soul)

Satanasa** Cjón. del Mellizo, 6, open: Sun 11h00 and 15h00 (punk, rock, psych)

Delia Records** Calle de las Delicias, 25, (near train station) open 11:00-14:00, 17:00-21:00

CLUSTER 2 - GRAN VIA & NORTH OF PLAZA MAJOR

Discos La Metralleta *** Aparcamiento Descalzas, C. del Postigo de San Martín,1 (used. Spanish music, rock) , open 10:00-14:00, 16:00-20:00

La Metralleta Discos Todo Música y Cine*** Parking Descalzas, Pl. de San Martín, 1-B, Galería Comercial open Mon-Tue-Thurs-Fri-Sat 10:00–13:45, 16:30–20:30

La Gramola discos*** C. del Postigo de San Martín, 4, open: Mo-Sat 11:00–21:00 (old rock/metal on vinyl or CD)

Discos Bangla Desh*** Cost.ª de los Ángeles, 5 open: Mon-Sat 11:00–14:30, 17:00–20:30 (Rock, Garage, Indie - vinyl, many CDs)

Discos Babel*** Cost.ª de los Ángeles, 5 open: Mon-Sat 11:00–14:30, 16:30–20:00 (classic rock, garage, indie)

Rock & Roll Circus** C. de las Conchas, 4 open: Mon-Sat 11:00–14:15, 17:00–20:30 (electronic, dance)

Escridiscos*** C. de las Navas de Tolosa, 4, open: Mon-Sat 11:00–14:30, 17:00–20:30 (new/used, rock-punk-soul)

Killer's Discos** C. de la Montera, 28 open: Mon-Sat 11:00–14:30, 17:00–20:30 (vinyl, CD's, books)

Rotor Discos** Gran Vía, 40, 2º piso-puerta 2, open: Mon-Sat 11:00–14:00, 17:00–20:45 (dance, funk)

SUN Records*** Pl. de Santo Domingo, 8, open: Tue, Fri 17:00–20:00, Sat 11:00–15:00 (rock, metal, goth)

ATER COSMO Vinyl Store* C. de la Puebla, 9, open: Mon-Sat 11:30–15:30, 16:30–20:30 (electronic, vinyl)

Lost Things Discos & Libros** C. del Barco, 43, open: Mo-Tue-Thurs-Fri-Sat 13:00–21:00 Wed 12:00–15:00 Sun 13:00–19:00 (used vinyl, books)

Recycled Music Center & Friperie** Corre. Baja de San Pablo, 34, Mo-Fri 11:00-20:30, Sat-Sun 12:00-20:30 (electronic, soul)

DISKPOL** C/ de Jesús del Valle, 8, open: Mo-Fri 11:00–14:00, 17:30–21:00 (secondhand vinyl)

El Almacén de discos** open: Mo-Wed 5–9, Frid 3:30–9, Sat 12–9 pm (new & used, electronic)

MARILIANS RECORDS*** C. del Noviciado, 9, open: Mo-Sat 11 –3 , 4:30–9 (new & used. indie, Spanish rock)

Jazzymas** C. de la Palma, 28, Open Mo-Sat 11:30 am–2:30 pm, 5:30–9 pm (new/used jazz,classical,soul)

Nakasha** C. de Andrés Mellado, 24, open: Mo-Sat 11 am–2 pm, 5–8:30 pm Tue 11 am–2 pm (Vinyl, CD, T-shirts etc pop-rock)

OUT OF CENTER

Big Mamma Records** Calle del Divino Pastor, 22 Open: Mo-Sat, 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM (black music)

La Negra** Calle Eugenio Salazar, 9 Open: Mo-Sat 12:00 PM - 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM (punk, rock, soul)

ZZ Top "The Best of ZZ Top" 1971-1975(rec) 1977(comp)*****

I just came back from a ZZ Top concert in Amsterdam, and decided to present a relative album this week (for those of you living in the US, in Europe 8-7 means the 8th of July, not the 7th of August). This was the the second time I had tickets for a ZZ Top concert but the first time I saw them play live: a few years back, during an intoxicated evening with friends, we started booking trips for concerts around Europe, and somehow double-booked ZZ Top with David Gilmour. In the end, me and my girlfriend chose to see Gilmour in Vienna and sell our ZZ Top tickets online. Then COVID came, which meant that the next chance to catch them live was years later. Unfortunately, original bassist Dusty Hill has in the meantime passed away, bequeathing his place in the band to his guitar technician, Elwood Blues (sorry, Elwood Francis). This marked the first personnel change in the band after half a century, which must surely be some kind of record. Apparently, during his first gigs with the band, Elwood wore a fake beard, which I personally find rather distasteful. I'm still not sure he's grown a real one, his (facial and otherwise) hair look quite unnatural. During the concert, he played the part, mimicking his predecesor's bass tone and signature moves, although he didn't sing (Dusty often sang, both backup and lead). Frank Beard (the one without a beard, as Gibbons pointed out) provided accurate and unobtrusive drumming. Bill Gibbons' stage presence, guitar, and (even-gruffier-than-usual) vocals, was as always the main draw, and he delivered. The concert lasted for less than 1,5 hour, but the audience (it was a full house) left satisfied: the band put on a great performance, and we got to hear most of their hits - although I missed a few of my favorites, namely "Tush" and "Blue Jean Blues". All in all, a great night out!

This compilation was the first ZZ Top album I ever owned; one of the oldest LP's in my collection, bought sometime in the 80's. Commercially, that was the band's golden decade; they sold truckloads of records while their videos were on heavy rotation on MTV. During this period they also cemented their cartoonish public image with the sunglasses, long beards, hot rod cars, etc. At the time, I was familiar with the band's videos, which I liked but found rather poppy, but oblivious of their past. Then, sometime in '87 or '88, a classmate made a couple of mixtapes for me. One of them contained "blues" songs. In Greece, at the time, "blues" meant any song one could slow dance to; this tape however, contained, along with popular rock ballads, some actual blues tunes, including "Blue Jean Blues". It was this side of ZZ Top, along with a couple of 70's guitar rockers I later heard, that made me seek out a record by them. The Best Of... was, at the time, their only compilation in the market. I tend to think that it's still the best; just good ole' boogie and Southern rock without the plastic synth sound of their 80's hits. At 10 tracks and only 34 minutes, this is short for a compilation; they could have easily squeezed 3 or 4 more tracks on this single LP, but that would destroy the perfect balance the compilers acheived by placing 4 boogie rockers and one blues ballad on each side, structuring it like a great LP rather than a collection of songs. So what if it only covers 5 years of a band that's been around for 50? Sure, inevitably it misses a lot of landmarks. But it's not about what's missing, it's about what's in there, and every song here deserves a spot in the Best Of. I'll get to them in chronological order, as I always do with compilations: From ZZ Top’s First Album (1971) we get Cream-like blues rocker "Backdoor Love Affair". From Rio Grande Mud (1972), rock'n'roller "Francine" and funky Hendrix-like "Just Got Paid". From their third, and arguably best, Tres Hombres (1973), no less than 4 tracks: the bluesey "Jesus Just Left Chicago", Southern rockers "Waitin' For The Bus" and "Beer Drinkers & Hell Raisers", and their signature track "La Grange", a supercharged John Lee Hooker-like boogie about a famous Texan whorehouse. Their 4th LP Fandango! (1975) was a rather strange affair consisting of a forgettable live side, and a studio side featuring 3 of their best songs: mournful blues "Blue Jean Blues" and groovy hard rockers "Tush" and "Heard It On The X". "Tush" is sung by Dusty, while "Beer Drinkers"' best feature is the spirited exchange of lead vocals by Bill and Dusty - probably the reason two of the band's most popular tracks were missing from last week's concert's setlist. As I said, this makes for a perfect introduction to the band's early years. Later, they'd issue a greatest hits compilation focusing on their MTV period; the different esthetic of the two covers (from the Texas cowboys of The Best Of to the pop star glamour of Greatest Hits) is illustrative of the changes the band went through during the 80's. In any case, the two comps present minimum overlap - owing them both makes sense. Unless one goes for the original LP's, which makes better sense still.

***** for Tush, Waitin' For The Bus, Jesus Just Left Chicago, La Grange, Blue Jean Blues, Beer Drinkers And Hell Raisers

**** for Francine, Just Got Paid, Backdoor Love Affair, Heard It On The X

Rockcelona "La Bruja" 1979****

I was recently in Madrid, doing the rounds of the city's record stores as usual (expect my report on them, soon). Every time I'm in another country, I try to get some albums by local groups. I've been to Spain so often that by now I own records from almost 30 Spanish rock bands - more than any of my Spanish friends! But there are still new discoveries to be made, so while browsing the "rock nacional" section at FNAC, I came across this LP for the first time. Never having seen it before is not strange, since it's been out of print for 40-odd years, and only got reissued in 2022. To be honest, the album cover and band name stroke me as rather childish. But I googled it, and it only took a few seconds of listening to a sample on youtube to decide this was indeed a great find. There isn't a lot of info on the band available online: just that they were formed in Barcelona in 1977, by singer Alfredo "Fredy" Valcarcel. The rest of the band are Kiko (Aparicio) drums, Javi (Latorre) bass, and guitarists Albert (Balsells, lead) and Tony (Cruz, rhythm). La Bruja, released in '78 or '79 (reports vary), was their sole LP. Based on the year, one might expect it to sound closer to NWOBHM, but this is more like late 60's - early 70's heavy psychedelia. So, despite the release date, one might call this album proto-stoner, proto-metal, or proto-punk... really primitive heavy rock with screaming vocals, scorching fuzz guitar and pounding drums. IRockcelona were probably influenced by A-list bands like Deep Purple or Led Zeppelin, but their unrefined and brutal approach is more reminiscent of Sir Lord Baltimore, Leaf Hound, or Buffalo. Had they been formed in the US, England, or Australia, instead of Catalonia, they might have become as "famous" as those other bands. Fredy sings mostly in Spanish, but there are also two songs in English - which I didn't notice at first, so clear is his enunciation. These are classic boogie "Lovespell", and Thin Lizzy-like "Queen, Friend And Dread". Opener "La Bruja" is one of the album's highlights: It starts off with a heavy blues riff à la Cream - don't change this, autocorrect, I didn't mean à la crème as in cooking, I'm referencing the band Cream. Then, 1,5 minute in, it picks up pace almost hitting Motörhead speed. One more heavy mid-tempo section, then again a fast one featuring manic "witchy" laughter. "Colt 45" is another hard rocker; this one reminds me more of Montrose. I  know I'm bringing up other band names left and right, but don't take that to mean that Rockcelona's music is derivative. On the contrary, where you hear of too many influences, that means a band has achieved its own sound. Whereas, if I say that Oasis sound similar to The Beatles, well... Anyway, Side 1 of La Bruja closes with blues rock instrumental "Magbalino" allowing Balsells to show off his considerable guitar chops. "Hombre Triste" is another chugging boogie, this one featuring a fantastic shredding solo. It's followed by the heavier sludge rock "Tierra De Fuego". "Buscandote Rock 'N' Roll" starts off in a similar slow and heavy tempo, then halfway through the song the band are seemingly replaced by The Ramones, or at least they adopt a Ramones-like breakneck pace. Screaming vocals, drum rolls, and galloping guitar solos complete the picture. All in all, this LP made for a very satisfactory listen. Don't get me wrong; this isn't a masterpiece in any sense. The songwriting is forgettable, production is rudimentary, and the musicians' technique is less than impressive. But their playing is powerful and passionate. At the same time, the music is remarkably timeless, sounding both too retro for '79 and uncannily similar to modern-day stoner rock. It's as if Rockcelona were some distant Spanish uncles of Queens Of The Stone Age: at first glance, they have nothing in common. Then, the DNA reveals itself. As it always does.

**** for La Bruja, Lovespell, Colt 45, Hombre Triste, Buscandote Rock 'N' Roll, Queen Friend And Dread

*** for Magbalino, Tierra De Fuego 

UNCUT: The 500 Greatest Albums of the 1970s…Ranked!

I keep buying those magazine specials containing all the Best-Of lists; it's fun to count how many albums off the list one owns or has heard, and to ponder the pros and cons of each inclusion. Some time ago, Uncut Magazine started curating this series called The Ultimate Record Collection. 4 issues have been released so far: The 1960s, 1970-1974, 1975-1979, and the 1980s. I bought them all, and was eagerly awaiting for the 1990's, 2000's, and 2010's - see which albums released during my adulthood have achieved classic status according to the "experts". Instead of that, they seem to have discontinued that series and started another series, presenting the 500 "greatest" albums per decade, ranked. As you can imagine, there's a fair degree of overlap. One difference is the fact that this time the Uncut staff limited themselves to 500 entries - the two "ultimate record collection" issues covering the 70's counted 1200+ entries. Also, they contained many second-rate LP's by top artists; these are shedded, since they do not fit in with the "Greatest Albums" concept. So, no to the likes of Bob Dylan's (unfairly maligned, in my opinion) Self Portrait. The other, more important, distinction is the introduction of a ranking. Perfect for opinionated arguments, and as a discussion starter. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be a a ranking method at all - are the albums ranked in an order of artistic value, influence, cultural relevance, timelessness, popularity? Or just personal taste? It seems to be the latter. Now, 4 Bowie albums in the Top 10 is opinionated for sure: someone's a fanboy! On the other hand, there's a fair point to be made for each of them in terms of the aforementioned criteria. But Marquee Moon as the best album of the decade? Now that's a puzzling choice. The two-page essay on the album doesn't make a convincing argument on how this is any better than the competition. Not that I don't love Marquee Moon. It's a fantastic album, I'd probably be able to squeeze it in my own Top 20 of the decade, just because I love listening to it, knowing all the while that it doesn't enjoy the continued popularity and justified radio omnipresence of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours (here on No.46), Led Zeppelin's IV (No.67), or Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon (No.119😂). Even as a representative of the punk revolution, surely it lacks the cultural significance of The Ramones (here on No.16) and Never Mind The Bollocks (No.44). That the writer is no heavy rock fan is also obvious: the motherlode of Heavy Metal Paranoid is on No.88, AC/DC's Highway to Hell on No. 148, and Deep Purple's Machine Head buried deep at No. 420. Together with the equally low-ranked Led Zeppelin, those were the bedrocks on which one of the most popular genres of the following decades was built upon. On the other hand, there are some excellent suggestions in this list; albums that never got the attention they deserve, like Jonathan Richman's Modern Lovers (No.21), Judee Sill's Heart Food (No.232), Linda Perhacs Parallelograms (No.391), the complete discography of Big Star, and a who-is-who of Kraut Rock (a huge fixation of snubby music critics). So, these are the 500 "Greatest Albums of the 1970s" according to Uncut Magazine - as usual, whenever one of these albums is presented in this blog, I will try to add a link to the relevant review. As I said, these lists act as great conversation starters, so if you have any comments on the ranking, or notable absences, I'd love to hear them!

1. Television "Marquee Moon" (1977)

2. David Bowie "Low" (1977)

3. Marvin Gaye "What's Going On" (1971)

4. Bob Dylan "Blood on the Tracks" (1975)

5. David Bowie "Hunky Dory" (1971)

6. Roxy Music "For Your Pleasure" (1973)

7. David Bowie "The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars" (1972)

8. The Rolling Stones "Exile on Main St" (1972)

9. David Bowie "Station to Station" (1976)

10. The Rolling Stones "Sticky Fingers" (1971)

11. The Clash "London Calling" (1979)

12. Stevie Wonder "Innervisions" (1973)

13. The Velvet Underground "Loaded" (1970)

14. Neu! "Neu!" (1972)

15. Neil Young "On the Beach" (1974)

16. Ramones "Ramones" (1976)

17. Joy Division "Unknown Pleasures" (1979)

18. Sly & the Family Stone "There's a Riot Goin' On" (1971)

19. Curtis Mayfield "Curtis" (1970)

20. Joni Mitchell "Hejira" (1976)

21. Jonathan Richman & the Modern Lovers "The Modern Lovers" (1976)

22. Steely Dan "Aja" (1977)

23. Stevie Wonder "Songs in the Key of Life" (1976)

24. Neil Young "After the Gold Rush" (1970)

25. Nick Drake "Bryter Layter" (1970)

26. Kraftwerk "The Man-Machine" (1978)

27. Kraftwerk "Trans Europe Express" (1977)

28. The Stooges "Fun House" (1970)

29. Lou Reed "Transformer" (1972)

30. Elvis Costello & the Attractions "This Year's Model" (1978)

31. Can "Ege Bamyasi" (1972)

32. Bruce Springsteen "Darkness on the Edge of Town" (1978)

33. Blondie "Parallel Lines" (1978)

34. Robert Wyatt "Rock Bottom" (1974)

35. Public Image Ltd "Metal Box" (1979)

36. Bruce Springsteen "Born to Run" (1975)

37. Richard and Linda Thompson "I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight" (1974)

38. Patti Smith "Horses" (1975)

39. The Beach Boys "Surf's Up" (1971)

40. Carole King "Tapestry" (1971)

41. Can "Future Days" (1973)

42. Serge Gainsbourg "Histoire de Melody Nelson" (1971)

43. Roxy Music "Roxy Music" (1972)

44. Sex Pistols "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" (1977)

45. Alice Coltrane "Journey in Satchidananada" (1970)

46. Fleetwood Mac "Rumours" (1977)

47. John Cale "Paris 1919" (1973)

48. The Specials "The Specials" (1979)

49. Gram parson "GP" (1973)

50. Funkadelic "Maggot Brain" (1971)

51. Nick Drake "Pink Moon" (1972)

52. David Bowie "Aladdin Sane" (1973)

53. Talking Heads "Fear of Music" (1979)

54. Paul McCartney and Wings "Band on the Run" (1973)

55. Miles Davis "On the Corner" (1972)

56. Big Star "#1 Record" (1972)

57. Miles Davis "Bitches Brew" (1970)

58. Michael Jackson "Off the Wall" (1979)

59. Curtis Mayfield "Superfly" (1972)

60. Lou Reed "Berlin" (1973)

61. John Martyn "Solid Air" (1973)

62. Neil Young "Zuma" (1975)

63. Joni Mitchell "Blue" (1971)

64. Shuggie Otis "Inspiration Information" (1974)

65. Todd Rundgren "Something/Anything?" (1972)

66. T. Rex "The Slider" (1972)

67. Led Zeppelin "Untitled" (1971)

68. Milton Nascimento & Lo Borges "Clube da Esquina" (1972)

69. Willie Nelson "Red Headed Stranger" (1975)

70. Brian Eno "Another Green World" (1975)

71. Warren Zevon "Excitable Boy" (1978)

72. Brian Eno "Here Come the Warm Jets" (1974)

73. Todd Rundgren "A Wizard, a True Star" (1973)

74. Elvis Costello & the Attractions "Armed Forces" (1979)

75. Brian Eno "Before and After Science" (1977)

76. David Bowie "Young Americans" (1975)

77. David Bowie "The Man Who Sold the World" (1970)

78. Brian Eno "Ambient 1: Music for Airports" (1978)

79. The B-52's "The B-52's" (1979)

80. John Lennon "John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" (1970)

81. Iggy Pop "Lust for Life" (1977)

82. AC/DC "Powerage" (1978)

83. David Bowie ""Heroes"" (1977)

84. T. Rex "Electric Warrior" (1971)

85. Van Halen "Van Halen" (1978)

86. Suicide "Suicide" (1977)

87. The Doors "LA Woman" (1971)

88. Black Sabbath "Paranoid" (1970)

89. The Clash "The Clash" (1977)

90. Herbie Hancock "Head Hunters" (1973)

91. Steely Dan "Countdown to Ecstasy" (1973)

92. Iggy and the Stooges "Raw Power" (1973)

93. David Bowie "Diamond Dogs" (1974)

94. New York Dolls "New York Dolls" (1973)

95. David Crosby "If I Could Only Remember My Name" (1971)

96. Big Star "Radio City" (1974)

97. Black Sabbath "Master of Reality" (1971)

98. Brian Eno "Discreet Music" (1971)

99. Kate Bush "The Kick Inside" (1978)

100. The Beatles "Let It Be" (1970)

101. Iggy Pop "The Idiot" (1977)

102. Simon & Garfunkel "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (1970)

103. Chic "C'est Chic" (1978)

104. The Rolling Stones "Goats Head Soup" (1973)

105. Van Der Graaf Generator "Pawn hearts" (1971)

106. Bob Marley and the Wailers "Catch a Fire" (1973)

107. Mott the Hoople "Mott" (1973)

108. Van Morrison "Veedon Fleece" (1974)

109. Talking Heads "77" (1977)

110. Rod Stewart "Every Picture Tells a Story" (1971)

111. Van Morrison "Moondance" (1970)

112. James Brown "Sex Machine" (1970)

113. Can "Tago Mago" (1971)

114. Wire "Pink Flag" (1977)

115. Joni Mitchell "The Hissing of Summer Lawns" (1975)

116. Creedence Clearwater Revival "Cosmo's Factory" (1970)

117. The Slits "Cut" (1979)

118. Neil Young "Harvest" (1972)

119. Pink Floyd "The Dark Side of the Moon" (1973)

120. Big Star "Third/Sister Lovers" (1975)

121. The Grateful Dead "American Beauty" (1970)

122. Gene Clark "No Other" (1974)

123. Laura Nyro and Labelle "Gonna Take a Miracle" (1971)

124. The Rolling Stones "Some Girls" (1978)

125. Bob Marley & the Wailers "Exodus" (1977)

126. Led Zeppelin "Physical Graffiti" (1975)

127. Steely Dan "Pretzel Logic" (1974)

128. The Saints "(I'm) Stranded" (1978)

129. Roy Harper "Stormcock" (1971)

130. Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" (1975)

131. Dion "Born to Be with You" (1975)

132. Talking Heads "More Songs About Buildings and Food" (1978)

133. Al Green "I'm Still in Love with You" (1972)

134. Roxy Music "Stranded" (1973)

135. The Who "Who's Next" (1971)

136. Traffic "The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys" (1971)

137. Kraftwerk "Autobahn" (1974)

138. Donny Hathaway "Live" (1972)

139. Ian Dury "New Boots and Panties!!" (1977)

140. George Harrison "All Things Must Pass" (1970)

141. Aretha Franklin "Amazing Grace" (1972)

142. Bob Dylan "Desire" (1976)

143. The Only Ones "The Only Ones" (1978)

144. Paul Simon "Paul Simon" (1972)

145. Kevin Ayers "Whatevershebringswesing" (1971)

146. Jimi Hendrix "Band of Gypsys" (1970)

147. Elton John "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1973)

148. AC/DC "Highway to Hell" (1979)

149. Miles Davis "A Tribute to Jack Johnson" (1971)

150. Françoise Hardy "La Question" (1971)

151. Guy Clark "Old No 1" (1975)

152. Yoko Ono "Yoko Ono/Plastic Ono Band" (1970)

153. Japan "Quiet Life" (1979)

154. Ramones "Rocket to Russia" (1977)

155. Pink Floyd "The Wall" (1979)

156. Randy Newman "Sail Away" (1972)

157. Steely Dan "The Royal Scam" (1976)

158. Curtis Mayfield "Back to the World" (1973)

159. Supertramp "Breakfast in America" (1979)

160. Chip Taylor "Chip Taylor's Last Chance" (1973)

161. The Only Ones "Even Serpents Shine" (1979)

162. John Prine "John Prine" (1971)

163. Charlie Haden "Liberation Music Orchestra" (1970)

164. Joyce "Passarinho Urbano" (1976)

165. Peter Gabriel "Peter Gabriel" (1977)

166. Al Green "Call Me" (1973)

167. Marvin Gaye "I Want You" (1976)

168. Jackson Browne "Late for the Sky" (1974)

169. This Heat "This Heat" (1979)

170. Fleetwood Mac "Tusk" (1979)

171. Sister Sledge "We Are Family" (1979)

172. Wire "154" (1979)

173. Popol Vuh "Einsjäger und Siebenjäger" (1975)

174. Ultravox "Ha!-Ha!-Ha!" (1977)

175. Waylon Jennings "Honky Tonk Heroes" (1973)

176. The Jam "Setting Sons" (1979)

177. Groundhogs "Split" (1971)

178. Fripp/Eno "No Pussyfooting" (1973)

179. Ornette Coleman "Skies of America" (1972)

180. Undertones "Undertones" (1979)

181. Roxy Music "Country Life" (1974)

182. Bill Withers "Live at Carnegie Hall" (1973)

183. Electric Light Orchestra "Out of the Blue" (1977)

184. The Art Ensemble of Chicago "Nice Guys" (1979)

185. Aerosmith "Toys in the Attic" (1975)

186. Genesis "A Trick of the Tail" (1975)

187. Marvin Gaye "Here, My Dear" (1978)

188. AC/DC "If You Want Blood You've Got It" (1978)

189. Punishment of Luxury "Laughing Academy" (1979)

190. The Kinks "Muswell Hillbillies" (1971)

191. Funkadelic "One Nation Under a Groove" (1978)

192. Magazine "Real Life" (1978)

193. Curtis Mayfield "There's No Place Like America Today" (1975)

194. Electric Light Orchestra "A New World Record" (1976)

195. Little Feat "Dixie Chicken" (1973)

196. Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway "Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway" (1972)

197. The Fall "Dragnet" (1979)

198. Van Der Graaf Generator "Still Life" (1976)

199. George Jones "The Grand Tour" (1974)

200. Vashti Bunyan "Just Another Diamond Day" (1970)

201. Pharoah Sanders "Black Unity" (1971)

202. Joni Mitchell "Court and Spark" (1974)

203. Ornette Coleman "Dancing in Your Head" (1977)

204. The Congos "Heart of the Congos" (1977)

205. Gil Scott-Heron "Pieces of a Man" (1971)

206. Genesis "Selling England by the Pound" (1973)

207. Herbie Hancock "Sextant" (1973)

208. Jackson Browne "The Pretender" (1976)

209. Sly & the Family Stone "Fresh" (1973)

210. Al Green "Let's Stay Together" (1972)

211. Renaissance "Scheherezade and Other Stories" (1975)

212. Dennis Wilson "Pacific Ocean Blue" (1977)

213. The Cure "Three Imaginary Boys" (1979)

214. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers "Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers" (1976)

215. The Saints "Eternally Yours" (1978)

216. John Lennon "Imagine" (1971)

217. Tom Robinson Band "Power in the Darkness" (1978)

218. Ramones "Leave Home" (1977)

219. The Bee Gees and Various Artists "Saturday Night Fever" (1977)

220. Slapp Happy "Sort Of" (1972)

221. Bruce Springsteen "The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle" (1973)

222. Ian Hunter "All American Alien Boy" (1976)

223. Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band "Dr Buzzard's Original Savannah Band Meets King Penett" (1977)

224. John Cale "Fear" (1974)

225. Paul McCartney "McCartney" (1970)

226. Pink Floyd "Meddle" (1971)

227. Mahavishnu Orchestra "Between Nothingness & Eternity... Live!" (1973)

228. The Stranglers "Rattus Norvegicus" (1977)

229. Lee Hazlewood "Requiem for an Almost Lady" (1971)

230. The Raincoats "The Raincoats" (1979)

231. Gang of Four "Entertainment!" (1979)

232. Judee Sill "Heart Food" (1973)

233. Kraftwerk "Radio-Activity" (1975)

234. The Stylistics "The Stylistics" (1970)

235. The Jam "All Mod Cons" (1978)

236. Supertramp "Crime of the Century" (1974)

237. Tim Buckley "Greetings from LA" (1972)

238. Tangerine Dream "Phaedra" (1974)

239. Jimi Hendrix "Rainbow Bridge" (1971)

240. Hawkwind "The Space Ritual Alive in Liverpool and London" (1973)

241. Groundhogs "Thank Christ for the Bomb" (1970)

242. Paul Simon "There Goes Rhymin' Simon" (1973)

243. Neil Young "Tonight's the Night" (1975)

244. Amon Düül II "Yeti" (1970)

245. Nico "Desertshore" (1970)

246. Fleetwood Mac "Future Games" (1971)

247. Terry Riley "Persian Surgery Dervishes" (1972)

248. Willis Alan Ramsay "Willis Alan Ramsay" (1972)

249. Cluster & Eno "Cluster & Eno" (1977)

250. John Lennon "Mind Games" (1973)

251. Led Zeppelin "Presence" (1976)

252. Free "Fire and Water" (1970)

253. Michael Rother "Flammende Herzen" (1977)

254. Dave Edmunds "Get It" (1977)

255. Caravan "In the Land of Grey & Pink" (1971)

256. The Rolling Stones "Black and Blue" (1976)

257. John Prine "Sweet Revenge" (1973)

258. Yes "The Yes Album" (1971)

259. Frank Sinatra "Watertown" (1970)

260. Jethro Tull "Aqualung" (1971)

261. Meatloaf "Bat Out of Hell" (1977)

262. Alice Cooper "Billion Dollar Babies" (1973)

263. Deep Purple "In Rock" (1970)

264. Elis Regina and Antonio Carlos Jobim "Elis & Tom" (1974)

265. Nina Simone "Emergency Ward" (1972)

266. Led Zeppelin "Houses of the Holy" (1973)

267. Neu! "Neu 75" (1975)

268. Temptations "Psychedelic Shack" (1970)

269. Jimmy Cliff "The Harder They Come" (1972)

270. Kate Bush "Lionheart" (1979)

271. Bert Jansch "La Turnaround" (1974)

272. Led Zeppelin "Led Zeppelin III" (1970)

273. Elvis Costello "My Aim Is True" (1977)

274. War "The World Is a Ghetto" (1972)

275. Genesis "Wind and Wuthering" (1976)

276. Andwella "World's End" (1970)

277. Electric Light Orchestra "Face the Music" (1975)

278. The Cramps "Gravest Hits" (1979)

279. Ian Hunter "Ian Hunter" (1975)

280. Temptations "Masterpiece" (1973)

281. Cockney Rebel "The Psychomodo" (1974)

282. Paul & Linda McCartney "Ram" (1971)

283. Tim Buckley "Starsailor" (1970)

284. Al Green "The Belle Album" (1977)

285. Bobby Womack "Understanding" (1972)

286. Electric Light Orchestra "Eldorado" (1974)

287. Gram Parsons "Grievous Angel" (1974)

288. Miles Davis "Big Fun" (1974)

289. Neu! "Neu! 2" (1973)

290. Stevie Wonder "Music of My Mind" (1972)

291. Curtis Mayfield "Roots" (1971)

292. Temptations "Sky's the Limit" (1971)

293. The Isley Brothers "3+3" (1973)

294. Swell Maps "A Trip to Marineville" (1979)

295. Joe Gibbs & the Professionals "African Dub All-Mighty" (1976)

296. Francis Lai "Bilitis OST" (1977)

297. Steely Dan "Can't Buy a Thrill" (1971)

298. Supertramp "Crisis? What Crisis?" (1975)

299. Cyamade "Cyamade" (1972)

300. The Kinks "Everybody's in Show-Biz" (1972)

301. Stevie Wonder "Fulfillingness' First Finale" (1974)

302. Townes van Zandt "High Low and in between" (1971)

303. The Fall "Live at the Witch Trials" (1978)

304. Randy Newman "Good Old Boys" (1974)

305. Kris Kristofferson "The Silver-Tongued Devil and I" (1971)

306. The Cars "The Cars" (1978)

307. Popol Vuh "Hosianna Mantra" (1972)

308. Steely Dan "Katy Lied" (1975)

309. King Tubby and Lee Perry "King Tubby Meets the Upsetter at the Grass Roots of Dub" (1974)

310. Harmonia "Musik von Harmonia" (1974)

311. Harry Nilsson "Nilsson Schmilsson" (1971)

312. Tom Waits "Blue Valentine" (1978)

313. Gong "Camembert Electrqiue" (1971)

314. Labi Siffre "Crying Laughing Loving Lying" (1972)

315. Van Dyke Parks "Discover America" (1972)

316. Yoko Ono "Approximately Infinite Universe" (1973)

317. Van Morrison "It's Too Late to Stop Now" (1974)

318. Willie Nelson "Phases and Stages" (1974)

319. Captain Beefheart "Clear Spot" (1972)

320. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young "Déjà Vu" (1970)

321. Roberta Flack "Killing Me Softly" (1973)

322. John Cale "Slow Dazzle" (1975)

323. Julius Hemphill "Dogon A.D." (1972)

324. Pere Ubu "The Modern Dance" (1978)

325. Lee Hazlewood "Cowboy in Sweden" (1970)

326. Johnny Cash "Man in Black" (1971)

327. Mike Heron "Smiling Men with Bad Reputations" (1971)

328. Willie Nelson "Stardust" (1978)

329. Lou Reed "Street Hassle" (1978)

330. Brian Eno "Taking Tiger Mountain (By Strategy)" (1974)

331. Jorge Ben "A Tábua de Esmerelda" (1974)

332. Led Zeppelin "The Song Remains the Same" (1976)

333. Dr John "In the Right Place" (1973)

334. Augustus Pablo "King Tubbys Meets Rockers Uptown" (1976)

335. Smokey Robinson "A Quiet Storm" (1975)

336. 10cc "Sheet Music" (1974)

337. Gladys Knight & the Pips "Standing Ovation" (1971)

338. Cheap Trick "Cheap Trick" (1977)

339. Emmylou Harris "Elite Hotel" (1975)

340. Genesis "Foxtrot" (1972)

341. Thin Lizzy "Jailbreak" (1976)

342. Buzzcocks "Love Bites" (1978)

343. Gentle Giant "Octopus" (1972)

344. Prince Far I "Under Heavy Manners" (1977)

345. Rickie Lee Jones "Rickie Lee Jones" (1979)

346. Laura Nyro "Christmas and the Beads of Sweat" (1970)

347. Ennio Morricone "Maddalena" (1971)

348. The Damned "Damned Damned Damned" (1977)

349. Little Feat "The Last Record Album" (1975)

350. Magma "Mëkanïk Dëstruktïw Kömmandöh" (1973)

351. Black Sabbath "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath" (1973)

352. Hall & Oates "Abandoned Luncheonette" (1973)

353. Ry Cooder "Bop Till You Drop" (1979)

354. Diana Ross "Diana Ross" (1976)

355. Elvis Presley "Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old)" (1971)

356. Gong "Flying Teapot" (1973)

357. Fela Kuti "Gentleman" (1973)

358. Emmylou Harris "Pieces of the Sky" (1975)

359. Van Morrison "Saint Dominic's Preview" (1972)

360. Jimi Hendrix "The Cry of Love" (1971)

361. Sun Ra Solar-Myth Arkestra "The Solar-Myth Approach Vols 1 + 2" (1972)

362. Wire "Chairs Missing" (1978)

363. Carla Bley/Paul Haines "Escalation Over the Hill" (1971)

364. Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes "Expansions" (1974)

365. John Fahey "Fare Forward Voyagers (Soldier's Choice)" (1973)

366. Prince "Prince" (1979)

367. Marvin Gaye "Let's Get It On" (1973)

368. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood "Nancy & Lee Again" (1972)

369. Curved Air "Phantasmagoria" (1972)

370. Graham Parker and the Rumour "Squeezing Out Sparks" (1979)

371. Pentangle "Cruel Sister" (1970)

372. Harmonia "Deluxe" (1975)

373. Dr Feelgood "Down by the Jetty" (1975)

374. Shirley Collins "Amaranth" (1976)

375. John Martyn "Inside Out" (1973)

376. Joan Armatrading "Joan Armatrading" (1976)

377. Sparks "Kimono My House" (1974)

378. Peter Hammill "Over" (1977)

379. King Crimson "Red" (1974)

380. Blondie "Eat to the Eat" (1979)

381. X-Ray Spex "Germfree Adolescents" (1978)

382. Ian Matthews "In You Saw Thro' My Eyes" (1971)

383. Hawkwind "In Search of Space" (1971)

384. Donna Summer "Love to Love You Baby" (1975)

385. Bob Marley & the Wailers "Natty Dread" (1974)

386. Jerry Jeff Walker "Ridin' High" (1975)

387. Leonard Cohen "Songs of Love and Hate" (1971)

388. James Brown "The Payback" (1973)

389. AC/DC "Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap" (1976)

390. La Monte Young and Marian Zazeela "Dream House 78' 17"" (1974)

391. Linda Perhacs "Parallelograms" (1970)

392. Public Image "First Issue" (1978)

393. The Headhunters "Survival of the Fittest" (1975)

394. Tom Waits "The Heart of Saturday Night" (1974)

395. Mike Westbrook Orchestra "Citadel/Room 315" (1975)

396. Tom Waits "Closing Time" (1973)

397. Steve Reich "Music for 18 Musicians" (1978)

398. Tom Waits "Small Change" (1976)

399. Robert Palmer "Sneakin' Sally Through the Alley" (1974)

400. Stevie Wonder "Talking Book" (1972)

401. Pharoah Sanders "Thembi" (1971)

402. Ian Hunter "You're Never Alone with a Schizophrenic" (1979)

403. War "All Day Music" (1971)

404. Aretha Franklin "Almighty Fire" (1971)

405. Dolly Parton "Coat of Many Colors" (1971)

406. Bill Withers "+Justments" (1974)

407. Karen Dalton "In My Own Time" (1971)

408. The Kinks "Lola Versus Powerman and the Moneygoround, Part One" (1970)

409. Roxy Music "Manifesto" (1979)

410. The Strawbs "Hero and Heroine" (1974)

411. Thin Lizzy "Live and Dangerous" (1978)

412. Tom Waits "Nighthawks at the Diner" (1975)

413. Cluster & Brian Eno "Old Land" (1977)

414. Electric Light Orchestra "On the Third Day" (1973)

415. Faust "The Faust Tapes" (1973)

416. Television "Adventure" (1978)

417. Arthur Verocai "Arthur Verocai" (1972)

418. Isaac Hayes "Black Moses" (1971)

419. Supertramp "Even in the Quietest Moments..." (1977)

420. Deep Purple "Machine Head" (1972)

421. Pretenders "Pretenders" (1979)

422. Johnny Paycheck "Slide Off Your Satin Sheets" (1977)

423. Terry Reid "River" (1973)

424. ZZ Top "Tres Hombres" (1973)

425. Marvin Gaye "Trouble Man" (1972)

426. Spirit "Twelve Dreams of Dr Sardonicus" (1970)

427. Culture "Two Sevens Clash" (1977)

428. Warren Zevon "Warren Zevon" (1976)

429. Paul Siebel "Woodsmoke and Oranges" (1970)

430. Evan Parker/Derek Bailey/Han Bennink "The Topography of the Lungs" (1970)

431. Faces "A Nod Is as Good as a Wink..." (1971)

432. George Jones "Alone Again" (1976)

433. The O'Jays "Back Stabbers" (1972)

434. Caetano Veloso "Caetano Veloso" (1971)

435. Lou Reed "Coney Island Baby" (1975)

436. Cheap Trick "In Color" (1977)

437. Siouxsie and the Banshees "Join Hands" (1979)

438. Harry Nilsson "Nilsson Sings Newman" (1970)

439. The Walker Brothers "Nite Flights" (1978)

440. Genesis "Nursery Cryme" (1971)

441. Cluster "Sowiesoso" (1976)

442. Aretha Franklin "Spirit in the Dark" (1970)

443. Tim Maia "Tim Maia" (1973)

444. Elton John "Tumbleweed Connection" (1970)

445. Randy Newman "12 Songs" (1970)

446. Kevin Ayers "Bananamour" (1973)

447. Keith Jarrett "Belonging" (1974)

448. Dr Alimantado "Best Dressed Chicken in Town" (1978)

449. Bill Fay "Bill Fay" (1970)

450. John Martyn "Bless the Weather" (1971)

451. Millie Jackson "Caught Up" (1974)

452. Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath "Chris McGregor's Brotherhood of Breath" (1971)

453. Jane Birkin "Di Doo Dah" (1973)

454. U-Roy "Dread in a Babylon" (1975)

455. Devo "Duty Now for the Future" (1979)

456. Fripp & Eno "Evening Star" (1975)

457. Fela Kuti "Expensive Shit" (1975)

458. Bobbie Gentry "Fancy" (1970)

459. Roy Harper "Flat Baroque and Berserk" (1970)

460. Fotheringay "Fotheringay" (1970)

461. Funkadelic "Free Your Mind... and Your Ass Will Follow" (1970)

462. Michael Chapman "Fully Qualified Survivor" (1971)

463. Steel Pulse "Handsworth Revolution" (1978)

464. The Isley Brothers "The Heat Is On" (1975)

465. MC5 "High Time" (1971)

466. The Eagles "Hotel California" (1976)

467. Caravan "If I Could Do It All Over Again I'd Do It All Over You" (1970)

468. Kate & Anna McGarrigle "Kate & Anna McGarrigle" (1976)

469. Keith Jarrett "The Köln Concert" (1975)

470. King Crimson "Larks' Tongues in Aspic" (1973)

471. Art Ensemble of Chicago "Les Stances a Sophie" (1970)

472. Burning Spear "Marcus Garvey" (1975)

473. Penguin Café Orchestra "Music from the Penguin Café" (1976)

474. Peter Hammill "Nadir's Big Chance" (1975)

475. The Eagles "One of These Nights" (1975)

476. The Police "Reggatta de Blanc" (1979)

477. Tubeway Army "Replicas" (1979)

478. Upsetters "Return of the Super Ape" (1978)

479. Bert Jansch "Rosemary Lane" (1971)

480. 999 "Separates" (1978)

481. Queen "Sheer Heart Attack" (1974)

482. Spirit "Spirit of '76" (1975)

483. Be-Bop Deluxe "Sunburst Finish" (1976)

484. The Beach Boys "Sunflower" (1970)

485. The Ruts "The Crack" (1979)

486. Genesis "The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway" (1974)

487. The Last Poets "The Last Poets" (1970)

488. Willie Hutch "The Mack" (1973)

489. The Roches "The Roches" (1979)

490. Soft Machine "Third" (1970)

491. Scott Walker "'Til the Band Comes In" (1970)

492. Klaus Schulze "Timewind" (1975)

493. Gil Scott-Heron/Brian Jackson "Winter in America" (1974)

494. Aretha Franklin "Young Gifted and Black" (1972)

495. Fela Kuti "Zombie" (1976)

496. The Doors "Morrison Hotel" (1970)

497. Maddy Prior & June Tabor "Silly Sisters" (1976)

498. Neil Young "Rust Never Sleeps" (1978)

499. Mike Oldfield "Tubular Bells" (1973)

500. Hawkwind "Quark, Strangeness and Charm" (1976)