He’s the fastest piano player in the world, averaging 19.5 notes per second with each hand. His pieces are a dizzying trail of sprinked notes- a sort of new age pointilism.

Catch them if you can.

They later renamed themselves J. Rider (with a couple of lineup changes), but the first LP released in 1976 under the name Anonymous is an amazing Jefferson Airplane meets Fleetwood Mac sounding affair, but with a more intimate jamming in the basement next to you feel. Great harmonies and leads this is one of the best “lost” 70’s records. There are several reissues available, though the band name makes it hard to track down.

A trio from Mali. Their Soun Soun CD captures songs passed down from previous generations preserving sounds from a forgotten age, while adding something with each retelling. The intricacies here are remarkable- together the instruments weave rhythmic dreamlike soundtracks for early mornings and late nights alike. Staring out the window while listening on headphones makes it seem as if everyone walking by is in time with songs as if by design.

And we are talking about the “new” Witch, not the heavy/glam metal band from LA in the 80’s (though their 12” EP is a favorite around here too, but more of an acquired taste). Anyways, this Witch’s self-titled full length is without a doubt the most vintage sounding 70’s doomy hard rock record since Wtichcraft. See the theme here for Pentagram and Blue Cheer inspired bands? Features members of Upsidedown Cross and Deep Wound, if you catch our drift.

Probably no better tune for skulking around searching for clues in the 1980’s.

If spinning the first couple of Grand Funk albums (before they tacked on “Railroad” to their name) doesn’t get heads nodding slightly and people to ask you what they are listening to then you may want to consider finding some new friends. Don’t be shallow, but ask yourself if you can truly be friends with someone that doesn’t like “Sin’s a Good Man’s Brother” at least a little bit? These records are often overlooked and sitting in your parents’ record collection or a nearby dollar bin.

In the triumvirate of best American heavy metal bands in the history of, well, heavy metal. Their first two albums were just reissued on CD so you have no excuse.