Although Elton John was not quite as dominate a force as before, he still parented plenty of worthy moments during this second hit-making era.

‘Wide Open’ may well be Michael McDonald’s most musically dense and compelling studio project – and that’s saying something.

Juggling power-pop instincts with roots rock influences, the Successful Failures produce a sound that exercises both the body and the brain cells.

“A Thousand Years” offered a glimpse into Toto’s growth and aspirations, as they began the run home on 1988’s ‘The Seventh One.’

“Happy Man’ is the least-bombastic vocal Peter Cetera ever recorded with Chicago, and I’m including “If You Leave Me Now.”

‘On Broadway’ offers mostly curiosities for admirers and collectors of the brilliant ’60s and ’70s songs composed by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.

“Owner of a Lonely Heart” wasn’t great progressive rock but, without this track, it’s doubtful the band Yes would still be here today.

A new reissue highlights the often-overlooked Paul Collins’ Beat, one of the great power pop bands from the late ’70s/early ’80s.

There are some songs that simply take me away, and Toto’s “Anna” is one of them. It’s a master class.

Toto’s ‘The Seventh One’ boasted a layered sonic sheen eclipsing anything else in 1988 – and no where is that more evident than “You Got Me.”