Booker is known as a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, record producer, and arranger, and is best known for fronting Booker T and the MGs. This is his first solo album in decades. He teamed with southern rockers Drive-By Truckers to produce an album that is raw and edgy, fun and innovative. And just to seal the deal, long-time Booker associate Neil Young dropped by to play blistering lead guitar on nine of the ten tracks. Produced by Rob Schnapf (Elliott Smith, Beck, Rickie Lee Jones, Foo Fighters) and Booker T.

Talk about veracity and staying power. The powerhouse group, Spyro Gyra, has seen 30 years come and go without missing a beat (pardon the pun) in providing stirring, superior contemporary jazz. With driving rhythms, witty nuances, meticulous hooks, chords, and melodies, Down the Wire, the latest triumph for the group—to be released in late April—will again stake a firm claim on the fertile turf of this genre.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Neil Young is stirring things up again. This time he is rolling on down the road not only with an auto-centric concept album but with his own electric ride. Fork In The Road, whose largely ecocar themed songs he debuted in concert during the past year, will get a promotional push from the 1959 Lincoln Continental Young has converted to hybrid technology and which he plans to drive to Washington, D.C. With Fork In The Road as current as today's headlines, the controversial and mad-as-hell Neil Young is still rockin' the free world and once more is taking the road less traveled.

Joseph Williams was the lead singer for the band Toto and along with his solo releases and contributions on movie soundtracks is regarding as having one of the most talented voices in the world of AOR Westcoast rock. This is Joseph's fourth proper solo release of all new material and he really shines on this one, yes there are still a couple of ballads on this one but for the most part it rocks much harder than his previous efforts. Anyone who is a fan Toto, westcoast AOR or great vocals will really enjoy this one.

The third studio album from John Wetton and Geoffrey Downes, one-half of the Prog Rock supergroup Asia. Wetton and Downes cut their musical teeth on English church music as young boys, each was gifted with an ear for a good tune, be it ABBA or the Beach Boys. Their musical careers developed soon with John playing and singing with King Crimson and UK, while Geoff got enormous exposure with The Buggles and their massive hit 'Video Killed The Radio Star' in 1979, later on joining Yes for the release of Drama. The two came together in Asia (with Steve Howe and Carl Palmer) and the duo were responsible for writing the majority of the band's material. Icon 3 will please fans of Asia, Progressive Rock, AOR and melodic Rock.

A true lost pop masterpiece of the 80's, think REM's jangly guitar work, layered keyboards, soaring Hollies like harmonies, stunning vocals, crystal clear production and you have The Good Life. The band was masterminded by Butch Vig who later went on to form the band Garbage and produce one of the best rock albums of our generation, Nirvana's - Nevermind. This is the kind of pop record that lifts your spirits and puts a big smile on your face, highly recommended.

The Kinks' State of Confusion had its share of glossy hard rock in the vein of "Low Budget" and "Destroyer," but the record came to life on the quieter numbers, whether it's the elegiac "Don't Forget to Dance," the wistful pop of "Long Distance," or the buoyant nostalgia of "Come Dancing," which became the group's biggest hit since "Tired of Waiting for You."

Featuring singer Lars S„fsund, one of Sweden's best kept secrets, Work of Art delivers a melodic, yet powerful Rock music, based around Lars strong vocals. Influences like TOTO, Journey and Giant can be easily recognized. Ranging from more up-tempo Rockers like 'Why Do I?' to more radio-friendly songs like 'Camelia', grandiose ballads like 'One In A Lifetime' and even contemporary Rock songs like 'Cover Me', Work of Art is set to reach not only the traditional Melodic Rock fan base but also to cross over to a wider and more radio-based audience.

After a string of infrequent and not particularly lustrous albums, Steve Miller has bounced back with what is surely his best effort since Fly Like an Eagle in 1976. Like that record, Italian X Rays surges forward with an intrepid spirit that's equal parts high tech and down-home.