#50
AC/DC — T.N.T.
The Aussie rockers crank it up a notch for their second album of 1975. “It’s a long way to the top” fully deserves its iconic status, while “High voltage” offers exactly that: raw, electrifying rock. Add in a title track that boasts one of Malcolm Young’s best riffs and you have a package that swaggers, sneers and sweats its way into your bloodstream. Like herpes, it’s with you for life.
*
#49
FRANK ZAPPA — ONE SIZE FITS ALL
Opener “Inca Roads” epitomizes Zappa’s blend of satire and sophistication—mocking cosmic pretension while threading dazzling jazz-fusion harmonies. The Mothers, featuring George Duke and Ruth Underwood, execute the complex charts with stunning clarity, though the intricacy sometimes verges on aural assault. “San Ber’dino” and “Florentine Pogen” balance the virtuosity with greasy funk and Zappaesque wordplay, showing Frank’s affection for lowbrow humour and highbrow structure. A strong example of mid-’70s Zappa.
*
#48
RETURN TO FOREVER — NO MYSTERY
Recorded with Return to Forever’s classic lineup — Chick Corea on keyboards, Al Di Meola, guitar, master bassist Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White on drums — No Mystery captures the group in full-on blazing fusion form. Balancing fierce virtuosity with moments of lyricism, the album alternates between high-energy electric workouts and elegant acoustic interludes. Intense in parts, but absolutely rewarding. In fact they were rewarded with a Grammy award.
*
#47
THE BAND — NORTHERN LIGHTS, SOUTHERN CROSS
This late-period gem reaffirms The Band’s singular blend of roots, soul, and storytelling. Robbie Robertson’s songwriting is at its most cinematic, from the frontier mythmaking of “Acadian driftwood” to the wistful optimism of “Ophelia.” “It makes no difference” is one of the most beautifully heartbreaking songs ever. Levon Helm, Rick Danko, and Richard Manuel share vocals with their usual soulful empathy, giving the music warmth and humanity.
*
#46
GENTLE GIANT — FREE HAND
Although I love the early Gentle Giant albums, it is 1975’s Free Hand that shows them at the height of their creative and technical powers; complex yet confident, cerebral yet joyful. Tracks like “Just the Same” and “On Reflection” showcase intricate vocal interplay and rhythmic sophistication, while “His Last Voyage” and the title track reveal unexpected warmth amid the precision. A truly excellent progressive rock LP.
*
#45
QUIET SUN — MAINSTREAM
Mainstream revives Quiet Sun, guitarist Phil Manzanera’s pre-Roxy Music band, for one stunning studio session. With Dave Jarrett on keyboards, Bill MacCormick on bass, and Charles Hayward on drums, the group delivers intricate, jazz-inflected progressive rock that bridges Canterbury sophistication and art-rock precision. Tracks like “Sol Caliente” and “Bargain Classics” pulse with rhythmic invention while Brian Eno’s production lends shimmering texture without softening the attack. Mainstream captures the restless experimentation of mid-’70s British prog at its most imaginative—an overlooked gem that matches intellect with genuine instrumental fire. I love it, so I was both astonished and delighted to read on Bill MacCormick’s fb page that Quiet Sun are recording new material in 2025.
*
#44
STEVE HILLAGE — FISH RISING
Fish Rising marks Steve Hillage’s emergence as a solo artist after his time with Gong, carrying over that band’s cosmic humour and psychedelic intricacy into a more personal vision. Built around extended, flowing compositions like “Solar Musick Suite” and “The Salmon Song,” the album merges Canterbury-style jazz-rock with shimmering guitar textures and spiritual mysticism. Hillage’s playing is fluid and joyous, alternately soaring and meditative, while Miquette Giraudy’s synths and contributions from Gong alumni add colour and warmth. An inviting and open-hearted album.
*
#43
CROSSFIRE — CROSSFIRE
The debut album of Australia’s foremost jazz-rock ensemble showcases a distinctive blend of rhythmic precision and melodic flair. Led by guitarist Jim Kelly and keyboardist Michael Kenny, the group blends the electric intensity of fusion with a strong sense of lyricism and space. There are muscular grooves and reflective passages, allowing Kelly’s fluid guitar and Kenny’s keyboards to shine. It is well produced and beautifully played… and even has a song at the end. Crossfire stands as a landmark in Australian jazz fusion—sophisticated, inventive, and entirely unpretentious in its musical ambition.
*
#42
BO HANSSON — ATTIC THOUGHTS
Attic Thoughts (Mellanväsen in Swedish) is Swede Bo Hansson’s third album. Moving beyond the Tolkien imagery of Lord of the Rings, Hansson crafts a series of instrumental tone poems that blend pastoral melody, jazz phrasing, and cosmic ambience. His keyboards—organ, synthesizer, and Mellotron—create layered textures that shift between earthy warmth and otherworldly shimmer. There’s a lyrical, quietly spiritual sensibility here; more reflective than grandiose. A humble yet truly satisfying instrumental album that I’m still playing fifty years after its release.
*
#41
LITTLE FEAT — THE LAST RECORD ALBUM
Little Feat’s 1975 album does not deserve the half-hearted reviews it sometimes attracts. Although relatively short, the song quality and variety are absolutely present, balancing their signature swampy funk and slide-guitar grit with a more polished studio sound. Lowell George’s wry storytelling drives songs like the wistful “All That You Dream” and melancholic “Long Distance Love,” while the band’s interplay remains supple—Bill Payne’s keyboards and Paul Barrère’s guitar weaving deftly around Richie Hayward’s loose, jazzy drumming. There is a sense of transition here, with George’s leadership fraying and the group edging toward a smoother West Coast fusion, but The Last Record Album remains a fine listen.
*
Would any of these make your ‘faves’ list for ’75? Or perhaps a “Should Explore” list?
NEXT: #40 — #31
vinylconnection.com.au 
I love that you profile these often unheralded gems, Bruce. I have the Hillage and Quiet Sun albums and love them. Bo Hansson is on my to-do list. And need to revisit that Zappa album. I like Gentle Giant, though not a huge fan, but I only have the early stuff, so Free Hand is calling my name, too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s really encouraging to hear, Pete. Thanks so much for the specifics in the comment. If any of those you highlight get listened to, I’d love to hear your response. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’d forgotten Crossfire and will revive the memory. But Quiet Sun will probably be the first of these that I seek out. As it stands, The Band might be my pick from this set. We’ll see.
Thanks Bruce,
DD
LikeLiked by 1 person
A bit of revision is often rewarding, DD. Hope it is here too.
The three you highlight amply demonstrate the oddity (insanity?) of trying to compile such a list; jazz-rock, progressive (Canterbury scene) rock, ‘classic’ roots influenced rock. Enjoy!
LikeLike
Crossfire has a likeable cheeky energy it’s hard not to groove, well hard not to groove gently anyway. It sounds contemporary too, despite obvious roots in its own time. The Band seemed more dated to my ears. Maybe mood? The opening track of Quiet Sun sounds pretty good. I need to find time for s proper listen. So much of what I’m currently listening to has ambient roots that I think it’s changing my taste. Cheers DD
David Don Melbourne Au T. 61 3 9546 4607 M. 0417 397 189
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Band definitely would have been on my Best of ’75 list. Will check out that Bo Hansson album (despite the dodgy cover art) as I am a big fan of his “Magician’s Hat” album.
LikeLike
Super, Rick. Magician’s Hat came in at #7 in the 73 FROM ’73 Countdown, which tells you what I think of it! Attic Thoughts isn’t quite as captivating, but it is still most enjoyable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delighted to see AC/DC’s “T.N.T.”, which is on my list of favorite albums from ’75. While they didn’t exactly reinvent rock and there isn’t a lot of variety in their music, I just love their straight, hard-charging rock & roll. The Band and Little Feat also look like intriguing picks.
With Zappa it’s my usual challenge. I acknowledge musically “One Size Fits All” sounds intriguing, but I really need to be in the right mood for his satire. Sometimes I find it hilarious, other times it’s just too much over the top for my taste. Perhaps it’s not a coincidence one of my favorite Zappa albums I’ve heard thus far is 1981’s “Shut Up ‘n Play Yer Guitar.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
Couldn’t agree more re Zappa, Christian. This, for me, is past ‘peak Frank’ but still worth a listen. And yes, ‘Shut up ’n’ Play Yer Guitar’ and the album simply entitled ‘Guitar’ are my go-tos as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You nailed exactly why No Mystery remains my favorite Return To Forever album, Bruce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Having not listened to No Mystery in some years, I was quite startled anew by its potency, Marty. Glad to have high-fived on this one!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great AC/DC pick and writeup!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks deKe!
LikeLike
Reading your posts can often be quite humbling, Bruce; half of your entries here qualify for my “Should Explore” list: Gentle Giant, Quiet Sun, Steve Hillage, Crossfire, and Bo Hansson are all completely new to me, i.e., never even heard of them! (Not sure what that says about me…) Return to Forever hit my radar one year later (“Romantic Warrior) and Little Feat two years later (“Time Loves A Hero”).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, my dear JDB, it is possible that while I was scouring dusty record shops and crouching over a turntable late at night you were actually living a rich fulfilling life. So I’m not sure I’ll necessarily boast about whatever arcane knowledge has accrued, nor drop a single crumb of denigration in the path of someone who made more socially laudable choices.
Rending of clothing notwithstanding, I’d fully endorse checking out the titles you mention and invite you to continue as the journey rises with the decreasing numerical count. As for next year, I can guarantee Romantic Warrior inside the top twenty.
PS. Sorry about the prose. This happens whenever I read P.G. Wodehouse.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good man, Jeeves! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great choices or should I say acquisitions? Funny when folks talk about the Bands output I think the album you featured gets lost. I know it’s up there in my love of their music. Nic etouch on the burning log pic. Oh yeah I wore out the Zappa and the RTF albums. Great stuff as usual Bruce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are all titles that have been acquired, CD. Sigh. (Or Groan, if you listen to the floorboards in the music room.)
Thanks for picking up on that old cassette image. I found it in the depths of the Photo Library and decided to use it, despite having the LP and CD of the album. The woodfire has departed our home, lo! these seven or eight years but sometimes I miss it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah it’s getting to be log on the fire time in our part of the world. Hey the Bands old stomping grounds. Keep the takes coming
LikeLiked by 1 person
Cheers mate. Toast a marshmallow for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The stand-out entry on that list for me is Gentle Giant’s Free Hand. That was, as you say, when they were at their peak. The Missing Piece, from 1977, is just as good, though.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m a little embarrassed to disclose this, Phil, but the punk track on Missing Piece annoyed me so much that I culled the LP. I did make a CD-R of the album first, however… sans that cut. Perhaps I should give it a spin?
LikeLike
You mean, “Betcha Thought We Couldn’t Do It”? I confess, I found that irritating at first, too, but I got used to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We never pondered whether they could do it or not, but they did it anyway and left most fans wondering why they bothered. 😆
PS. If I continue this absurd exercise for another year, I’ll get to spend time with Interview which is quite appealing.
LikeLike
[…] NEXT: #50 — #41 […]
LikeLike
Glad to see the underappreciated “Quiet Sun” on your list, hooray! And you picked off another of my pre-series tentative top tens (“One Size Fits All,” my fave Zappa album by a longshot!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kicking goals, JES! Hopefully a few more pleasant surprises to come (although the process does funnel us towards the better known albums as we progress!).
LikeLike
I like Steve Hillage a lot but, AC/DC aside, I can hear why the cleansing fire of punk was being stoked elsewhere. Some great LP covers though, hats off to Mr Hansson in particular – I’d be willing to bet you may be the only person I have ever known who owns something other than his Lord Of The Rings LP Bruce.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hillage’s prog hippy noodling appeals, eh? Good to hear.
Yes, I have all four Bo Hansson LPs (and the CDs too) and am rather proud of that. Wish his estate or the Jimi people would release the Hansson-Hendrix jams/studio stuff.
As for your mischievous regurgitation of that tired nonsense of “cleansing punk”. Bollocks to you! Again!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had no idea Bo and Jimi had noodled together, if it hasn’t been dragged out of the tape cupboard by now it must be dire, or just lost.
Re. cleansing fire. I’m just playing my greatest hits Bruce, its what my public demand!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re so good at it, Joe. 💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Adding Quiet Sun to the list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
👍👏🏻☀️
LikeLike
TNT was an explosive song.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL. It was a banger!
LikeLike
Totally agree re. the later Little Feat albums. Lowell may have been a bit ‘sidelined’ and not totally enamoured with some of the new stuff but the other members had a lot to offer!
LikeLiked by 2 people