Banco's first three albums are heralded by prog fans for good reason, they contain some of the finest progressive music out there. This title gets far less attention which is a shame as the usual letdown in quality some bands have after their acclaimed period is not present here. This is a solid RPI title by any definition. This album is in some ways their most accomplished to date, featuring incredible arrangements and wonderful composition. Yes the long epics have been replaced by shorter pieces but they are very engaging. Blending classical and jazz influenced jamming into their usual complex dramatic stew, at first the album can be a bit overwhelming and less accessible. It may not grab you as immediately as the earlier albums, but give it time and it will…

In Blue is a double CD from the great Klaus Schulze. This set has almost 160 minutes of pure "Klaustrophobia." That means that these three long-form compositions are full of sequences, dense atmospheres, and drawn-out synth washes. Schulze invited Manuel Göttsching, his former Ash Ra Tempel partner, to play guitar on one of the compositions, "Return of the Tempel." Each of the compositions has several movements, each relating to blue - the color or the mood. Schulze is in rare form on this set. It has textures and timbres of minimalism. The sequences are gentle and subtle. It had been four years since Schulze had done a regular studio album and this - after a Wahnfried disc, a classical CD, an opera, and a live release - is refreshing. He shows that he is just as adept at ambient as he is at the Berlin school.

The Joker is, without question, the turning point in Steve Miller's career, the album where he infused his blues with a big, bright dose of pop and got exactly what he deserved: Top Ten hits and stardom. He also lost a lot of fans, the ones who dug his winding improvs, because those spacy jams were driven by chops and revealed new worlds. The Joker isn't mind-expanding, it's party music, filled with good vibes, never laying a heavy trip, always keeping things light, relaxed and easygoing.