Sword Dancer

Rush was a Canadian rock band formed in Toronto in 1968, consisting of Geddy Lee (bass, vocals, keyboards, composer), Alex Lifeson (guitars, composer), and Neil Peart (drums, percussion, lyricist). After its formation in 1968, the band went through several configurations before arriving at its classic power trio lineup with the addition of Peart in 1974, who replaced original drummer John Rutsey right after the release of their eponymous debut album, which contained their first highly-regarded song, "Working Man".

Wishbone Ash, one of Britain's most enduring and best-loved rock acts, are to release a comprehensive deluxe 30 CD box set, The Vintage Years, through Madfish. Loaded with rarities, memorabilia, a new interview and a lavish 156-page hardback book, a third of this new collection features previously unheard & unreleased material. The contents of The Vintage Years box set include: Brand new cover artwork designed by Colin Elgie, the original designer behind the award-winning Live Dates sleeve artwork. All 16 studio albums, featuring bonus material including rare album outtakes, B-sides and 12 previously unreleased studio tracks, presented in mini-gatefold sleeves. Three of the 16 albums are currently out of print on CD from I. R. S. : Nouveau Calls, Here to Hear and Strange Affair.

Wishbone Ash, one of Britain's most enduring and best-loved rock acts, are to release a comprehensive deluxe 30 CD box set, The Vintage Years, through Madfish. Loaded with rarities, memorabilia, a new interview and a lavish 156-page hardback book, a third of this new collection features previously unheard & unreleased material. The contents of The Vintage Years box set include: Brand new cover artwork designed by Colin Elgie, the original designer behind the award-winning Live Dates sleeve artwork. All 16 studio albums, featuring bonus material including rare album outtakes, B-sides and 12 previously unreleased studio tracks, presented in mini-gatefold sleeves.

Merlin is the eighth studio album by Dutch band Kayak. The first half of the original LP (tracks 1 through 5) is a concept fantasy story about Merlin the Magician. The second half of the LP is a collection of individual songs.

Incredibly, Unicorn were on the road with Hawkwind when their third album hit the streets - incredibly, because it is difficult to think of two bands that existed at more extreme ends of the period rock spectrum. But the blending worked, as Unicorn's subtly countrified, folky-edged mantras fed the heads of the Hawkwind faithful with many of the same acoustic energies that fired the headliner's most evocative dreams. And, besides, who wouldn't admire a band like Unicorn, a quintessentially English folk-rock act that just happened to have collided with a love for American country rock, and wound up creating a hybrid that still sounds remarkable today? Widely regarded as Unicorn's finest album (a horrible disservice to Blue Pine Trees, but no matter), Too Many Crooks opens with the near-frenetic energy of "Weekend," and continues on through a greater number of rockers than either of its predecessors…

After two unabashed pop releases, this Kayak album marks a return to the progressive edge that was the foundation of the band's early success. Although this was the third release featuring lead vocalist Edward Reekers, who took over for Max Werner after Starlight Dancer, Merlin most closely resembles Kayak's pre-Reekers period. Considering the steadily declining quality exhibited on Phantom of the Night (1978) and Periscope Life (1980), it was surprising that, amid the new wave craze, this band would return to its earlier form. That's a credit to songwriter and keyboardist Ton Scherpenzeel, who recognized the condition Kayak was in and virtually single-handedly resuscitated the band, fully realizing that its demise was still inevitable.