Billy Cobham - Spectrum

Replacing a cassette. Really notable I guess for Tommy Bolin's fiery lickin'. Although it doesn't really hit the heights of the epic scope set by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, which it sounds like it takes from.

Culture - Two Sevens Clash

Quite hardhitting stark reggae. Also espouses the joy of an apocalyptic event (July 7 1977 - the two sevens clash), rather than panicking in fear about it. Interesting the the vocal harmonies in the closer, "I'm Not Ashamed", sound like Cat Stevens' Wild World.

Curtis Mayfield - Superfly OST

Rather unnecessary torrent as I have all the crucial tracks here -"Pusherman", "Freddie's Dead", "Give Me Your Love" and "Superfly". The remainder tracks don't really stand out, being workmanlike wah wah funk exercises.

Gentle Giant - Gentle Giant/Acquiring the Taste/Octopus/In A Glass House/Free Hand

True to their name, gentle and whimsical prog. Nice wacky time signatures as The DOK (guy on the message board I post on) says, although I like their more novel songs - "Pantugruel's Nativity" (on "Acquiring the Taste") with its Gregorian chants and the neo-classical "The Advent of Panurge (on "Octopus"). Yep, really warming up to classic prog. Still don't think much of neo-prog, though, as some friend of mine is trying to get me into hearing The Porcupine Tree. I like Tool so far, but they are more metal anyway.

John Fahey - America

Nice fingerpicked bluesy country-ish tunes. Soothing and relaxing as heck. Although I'd wish there were more variations in the rhythm and tuning.

King Crimson - Discipline

Babble (message board) is rather divided about this album, but I love it. Belew's vocals seem to channel David Byrne on "Elephant Talk" and it is reminiscent of "Fear of Music"-era Talking Heads. On the rest of the songs, lotsa interesting noodling which are heavily layered and synth-based. I love this almost as much as ItCotCk.

Mr. Bungle - California

Yeessshhh! Too eclectic for me. File away! Might like in another five years' time or more.

The Human League - Reproduction

Their debut. Yay! The single version of "Being Boiled" is here - "Listen to the voice of Buddha, saying stop your sericulture". Contains the four-part "Dignity of Labour" EP, with its experimental synth noodling, sounds like a massive influence on Olivia Tremor Control's "Green Typewriters" on "Dusk at Cubist's Castle". Doesn't have anything as catchy as "I Don't Depend On You", though (early disco-ish single). Rather hit-and-miss cover of "You've Lost That Loving Feeling" as well.

The Congos - The Heart of The Congos

Excellent reggae! Toppermost of the Poppermost Rastas. Love the submerged in water-type production by Scratch. Kinda reminiscent of what I like so much about Junior Murvin. Only downside is CD2, which have throwaway dub versions and extended remixes.

The Specials - The Specials

More 2-Tone ska. Oklar, I guess. Doesn't have the dense tapestries of The Special AKA's "In the Studio" although Terry Hall's vocals are great. "Nite Klub" is a total waste of time. A rather perfunctory cover of "Monkey Man" (Toots, not Stones) which is obvious as hell.

Van Der Graaf Generator - H to He Who Am the Only One/Godbluff/World Record

Rather similar in atmosphere to Gentle Giant. Although I have to say Peter Hamill has a really good range, sounding like Bowie in places on "H To He" and metallic on "World". I also have no problems with the rambling long songs (eg "Meurglys III" on "World") as the critics seem to have. Nice!