the help of Ricardo Marrero (who also Lead guitarist Steve Hackett's "Voyage plays percussion here). of the Acolyte" will similarly distress those The Stairsteps is a seasoned, highly mu- who like their imaginative wanderings un- sical, and thoroughly professional group. dercut by reality. This disc features a series This is, I suspect, its most creative effort on of original compositions, each song specifi- records. M.A. cally related to a certain tarot card. The melodies are lilting and served well by the musicians, and the sound in many places GENESIS: A Trick of the Tail. Mike Ruther- conjures up the distinguished English one- ford, guitar, basses, and bass pedals; Tony man rock band Mike Oldfield. But there's Banks, keyboards, guitar, and vocals; Phil just so much soundtrack music one can lis- Collins, drums, percussion, and vocals; Steve ten to and enjoy, especially when there's no Hackett, guitars. Dancer on a Volcano; En- motion picture to use as a frame of refer- tangled; Squonk; five more. [David Hentschel ence. H.E. and Genesis, prod.] ATCOSD 36 129,$6.98. Tape: 41.0 CS 36 129, $7.97; TP 36 129, $7.97. RALPH TOWNER: Solstice. Ralph STEVE HACKETT: Voyage of the Acolyte. Towner, twelve -string and classical Steve Hackett, electric and acoustic guitars; guitars and piano; Jan Garbarek, tenor and instrumental and vocalaccompaniment. Ace soprano saxophones and flute; Eberhard We- Living -Room of Wands; Hands of the Priestess Part 1; A ber, cello and bass; Jon Christensen, drums Tower Struck Down; five more. CHRYSALIS and percussion. Oceanus; Drifting Petals; Sound On CHR 1112, $6.98. Red and Black; five more. [Manfred Eicher, prod.] ECM 1060, $6.98. Genesis' seventh LP, "A Trick of the Tail," RALPH TOWNER AND GARY BURTON: The Terrace has been a subject of major concern for this Matchbook. Ralph Towner, twelve - English rock group's many devoted fans. string and classical guitars; Gary Burton, vi- The Why? Because, after seven years of effort, braharp. Some Other Time; Song for a Genesis is finally on the verge of super -star- Friend; Goodbye Pork Pie Hat; six more. dom and this is no time to lose its lead [Manfred Eicher, prod.] ECM 1056, $6.98. singer. Tape: 00 CF 1056, $7.98;11.0_ 8F 1056, Lead vocalist Peter Gabriel has been $7.98. credited with most of the touches that have earned this group its reputation for the the- I'm sorry to say I had never heard of Ralph atrical. He has utilized mime, masks, and Towner until a friend played me the first of costume changes, and he has contributed these two albums, after which I quickly got odd, quirky song -writing and vocal per- hold of the other. ECM's logo is "The Crea- There's no reason you should leave the formances-most notably on the well -re- tive Label," and that's the truth. Both of intimate enjoyment of music behind ceived "concept" LP "The Lamb Lies Down these recordings are produced by the small when you move your living room out- on Broadway." German company's mastermind, Manfred doors. Though "A Trick of the Tail" is not a Eicher, who runs a classy operation. These "concept" disc,it maintains the fantasy are classy productions that in today's disco Bozak's BARD, the standard by which quality to which Genesis has always as- market stand out like jewels in mud. all other outdoor speakers for home pired. Odd subjects, a variety of composing One of the joys of these records is the music systems are judged, has been styles, and a sense of the unreal permeate it. simple one of listening to decent sound. designed to provide the kind of Drummer Phil Collins-who sounds some- They are crystal clear, in terms of engineer- presence outdoors for which Bozak what like Gabriel- carries on admirably as ing (Jan Erik Kongshaug for "Solstice," speakers are famous indoors. There's a singer. Genesis' musicianship has always Martin Wieland for "Matchbook"), master- no need to turn the volume up to hear been exemplary, and the group has an au- ing, and even pressing. The quality of the music; the BARD lets you enjoy thentic gift for novelty. Nevertheless, the American pressings has sunk to an inexcus- every nuance at levels which will still appeal of this recording depends on one's able low: in pop music nearly all discs de - let your neighbors enjoy their privacy. tolerance for rock whimsy fed tthepurpose of having a quality turn- Employing a waterproof wide -range driverinaweatherproof aluminum housing, a pair of BARDS can be left outside allyear round - providing Cr The best pop records party music in the summer and sea- ICEreviewed in recent months sonal music through the holidays. On the other hand, they can be brought in- side to provide an extra set of speakers Louis ARMSTRONG AND EARL HINES /1928. SMITHSONIAN COLLECTION R 002. in inclement seasons; it's perfect in an Apr. COUNT BASIE AND ZOOT SIMS: Basie and Zoot. PABLO 2310 745. June. informal den or playroom setting. TOMMY FLANAGAN: Tokyo Recital. PABLO 2310 724. May. CP 0163. May. Before you even consider buying any D OSIE GRAY: New Ray of Sunshine. CAPRICORN other outdoor speaker, you should GREAT BRITISH FILM SCORES. LONDON PHASE -4 SPC 21149. June. listentothe BARD atyour Bozak MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA Inner Worlds. COLUMBIAPC 33908. June. R 001. Apr. dealer's showroom. We'll gladly send KING OLIVER'S JAZZ BAND/1923. SMITHSONIAN COLLECTION you his name and descriptive literature PACIFIC OVERTURES. Original Broadway cast recording. RCA RED SEAL on the BARD. ARL 1-1367. May. DORY PREVIN: We're Children ofCoincidenceand Harpo Marx. WARNER BROS.BS 2908. June. QUEEN: A Night at the Opera. ELEKTRA7E 1053. Apr. RAINTREE COUNTY. Original film score. ENTR'ACTE ERS 6503 ST. June. D. J. ROGERS: It's Good to Be Alive.RCA APL 1-1099. May. Pnossa Snow: Second Childhood. COLUMBIA PC 33952. May. K ENNY STARR: The Blind Man in the Bleachers.MCA 2177. Apr. Bozak, Inc. Box 1166Darien, Connecticut 06820

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