Chad Bradford’s “Friday Morning Rain” resides in the same rootsy pop orbit of Joe South and B.J. Thomas, striking the heart hard and fast.

Question Mark and the Mysterians were a cool and tight band, and the set of songs found on this underated 1967 sophomore release ‘Action’ only served to validate their merits.

Before hooking up with John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Elephant’s Memory hit the Top 50 with “Mongoose,” a song that was thrillingly raw.

Unfairly compared to Deep Purple, ‘Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow’ nevertheless arrived in August 1975 with a plethora of cool and interesting moments.

A big ballad, Grace Marino’s “It’s True” explodes with emotional elasticity and really packs a punch.

It’s time for a reassessment of Lobo. You’re reminded on this great compilation that he penned spiffy songs, and sang them with inviting sincerity.

Fortunato Isgro’s “Winds Up Your Mind” features catchy and concise singing, combined with a wickedly energetic beat, and spunky and seductive hooks.

Packed with cool pictures of musicians, vinyl, guitars and gig posters, John Blair’s ‘Southern California Surf Music 1960-1966’ is a surf rock bible.

The complex upcoming single ‘Have a Wonderful Day” shows that the Jigsaw Seen, founded in 1988, just get better and better with age.

‘Rides Again,’ released in July 1970, found Joe Walsh and the James Gang gorging on chunky chords but also visiting other musical dimensions.