10 HERBIE HANCOCK — HEADHUNTERS
Just four tracks but many moods, brilliantly realised. The brass driven Uber-funk of “Chameleon”, “Watermelon Man” with its irresistible groove, the languid beauty of “Vein Melter”. A creative jazz-rock-funk vision fully realised. [Released October 1973]
*
9 HAWKWIND — SPACE RITUAL
The second live album in the ’73 Top 20, Space Ritual is a monster of planet eating proportions. Space may be deep, but it’s also noisy. Guitars cough, synths splutter, the bass growls… the band rolls around your mind like a cosmic thunderstorm leaving you dazed yet somehow comforted. Two LPs in a six panel folding cover; it’s the record to take with you as you enter the Total Perspective Vortex. [Released May 1973]
*
8 GENESIS — SELLING ENGLAND BY THE POUND
Convincing the skeptical to try classics of progressive rock is not necessarily a fruitful exercise, though I’d argue that every record on this list (from the Prog shelves) has much to offer the open-eared rock fan. Sure, you have to adjust expectations to fit the art (rather like reading Dickens, I sometimes think) but the effort pays big dividends. None more so than this Genesis LP . Those on board will need no sales pitch, but for the curious, find some good sound and listen to “Firth Of Fifth.” Ten minutes well spent. (More on the album in an Art On Your Sleeve post here.) [Released September 1973]
*
7 BO HANSSON — MAGICIAN’S HAT
Is it a special ‘otherness’ that makes the unfamiliar cadence of a different musical heritage so entrancing? More layered and varied than his debut album (Lord Of The Rings), this sophomore effort from the Swedish keyboard player is a delight; inventive, melodic, surprising. This lover of instrumental prog has been drawing magic from the Hat for decades, with no signs of either rabbits or waning delight. [Released September 1973]
*
6 STEVIE WONDER — INNERVISIONS
His songs hit you first, of course. The energising funk groove of “Higher Ground,” heartbreak and consolation in “All In Love Is Fair,” a controlled anger in “Living For The City.” But the more you listen, the more of Stevie Wonder’s exemplary craft and care is revealed. The rising bass/keyboard motif in opener “Too High,” the careful track sequencing, the segue’s between songs. A complete package. [Released August 1973]
*
Any of these prominent in the soundtrack of your life?
vinylconnection.com.au 
Well obviously Space Ritual and Selling England are high up there for me, maybe amongst my desert island discs, funnily enough both bought for me at Christmas time when I was younger
LikeLiked by 1 person
Timely to give ’em a spin, then Neil? 🙂
LikeLike
I was very fond of Innervisions. Maybe over played…
LikeLiked by 2 people
The Hawkwind! Love what you said about the Total Perspective Vortex—heavy, man…and the Dickens likeness to that Genesis seems apt. Wish my Portland buddy Loren were wading through these prog waters, he’d love it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, thanks for reading Bill. You of course realise that my intent is to convert all my friends into prog-heads. Haven’t got terribly far, but won’t give up. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Getting into the real good stuff, wanted to mention the Bo Hannsson. My best friend had it in high school. Not sure how he came to hear of it back then. When he sold his LP collection last year, he gave me free dibs and I picked out a half-dozen so, including this. Been on steady rotation since.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t tell you how much that story warms my heart, Rick. Not sure I’ve ever met anyone who loves *Magician’s Hat* as I do. Thanks so much for sharing; perfect Christmas gift for a weary blogger!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Selling England is my fave of the Gabriel years. A bunch of their greatest songs on there but, as always with them, there’s one or two that don’t quite land for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nicely put. Would those be ‘More Fool Me’ and ‘Battle of Epping Forrest’ by any chance?
LikeLiked by 1 person
How did you know?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
(Whispers) Because they are my low points on an otherwise brilliant album as well. Though I have warmed somewhat to Epping Forrest and its kind of CGK (Camp Genesis Kitsch).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Epping has grown on me a bit too. Low points is a good way of putting it for both, though. So far I think I’ve only got about 14 albums from your list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s about 20%; not too shabby!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m going to send Len, Bob and the Butcher over to talk to you guys.
LikeLiked by 2 people
😅
LikeLike
Glad to see “Space Ritual” place so highly. It has a special place in my heart and writing history . . .
So much goodness near the top of the pile!! I think I can guess maybe a couple of the remaining five, just knowing what came out that year . . . but I also think you’re gonna have some surprises for us, which makes it ever more fun!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delighted you are enjoying the trip, JES. And a fascinating story on how language enters culture!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice to see the great Stevie Wonder in your top 10, along with Genesis, one of the few prog rock acts I embraced early. Much of the genre is still a work in prog, but as you said an open ear may well result in other prog acts I warm to, as well as your frequent posts related to the genre! 🙂
I also recall seeing Hawkwind on your pages before, which at the time prompted me to listen to some of their space rock music and thinking ‘not bad’! See what you did here? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
[Cue evil laugh]
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, Innervisions…part of that insane early 70’s outpouring by Wonder. And I’m partial to the Genesis for obvious reasons. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Talking of which… Another Art On Your Sleeve in ’24 perhaps?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely! I apologize for dropping the ball on your Jeff Beck suggestion of several months back…☹️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not a problem, my friend.
LikeLike
Headhunters and ‘By The Pound are way up in my musical journey. I think I told you that I saw Herbie and the boys live touring this record. What a very cool night of music and atmosphere. I’ll catch up on some of the other titles here that I’m not familiar with. It’s the Bruce trust factor coming into play. I always wanted to be in the middle of the “Battle Of Epping Forest’
LikeLike
Yep – numbers 10, 8 and 6 are absolutely pivotal in my musical life…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve never even heard of Bo Hannson, I should add it to the list.
Innervisions is classic.
Firth of Fifth always frustrates me – love the music, dislike the lyrics. Gabriel took control of the lyrics for the next record.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A good range of responses there G.! Thanks for visiting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
[…] Albums #10 — #6 […]
LikeLike
So much great stuff on your website. You’re vinyl collection is out of this world. I will be back.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Lovely to have you visit; welcome any time.
LikeLiked by 1 person