Steve Winwood, Steve Winwood (Island)

A solo album worthy of the name of one of rock’s great talents. Long-awaited, it’s as musically inspired as was expected. Former Traffic comrade Jim Capaldi overcomes his frequent laxness in lyric-writing on the masterful ‘Le Me Make Something In Your Life’ which also displays Stevie’s exceptional status as a guitarist. His own lyrics to ‘Midland Maniac’, however help assure it o rock immortality.

Jack Bruce Band, How’s Tricks? (R.S.O.)

Blessed once more with a group worthy of his musical genius Jack’s new offering continues the trail blazed by his solo albums. The unique partnership with Pete Brown again yields several stunners like ‘Without A Word’, ‘Madhouse’ and ‘Lost Inside A Song’, while ‘Something To Live For’ by Brown and keyboard man Tony Hymas augers for future treats. (And there’s a live U.S. album in the can!).

Van Morrison: A Period Of Transition (WB)

The soul album of ’77, horn-dynamoed, produced in collaboration with Dr. John and dismissed by many perhaps because of its seeming ease of creation. Hopefully its reception will not inhibit Van. In te meantime we have two emotive classics in ‘Heavy Connection’ and ‘Cold Wind In August’, both up to the standard of ‘Beside You’, ‘Caravan’, ‘Listen To The Lion’, ‘Almost Independence Day’. ‘Streets Of Arklow’, etc., etc.