Fairchild – s/t (1978 USA). Minneapolis based AOR progressive rock band. Strong overtones to the top acts of the era like Kansas, Boston, Journey and Styx – especially the latter. Though the album is private, it looks and sounds like a major label effort. For those that love the classic 70′s arena rock sound, this one is an all-timer. Never reissued on CD.

Hot Flash – First Attack! They’ll Never Take Us Alive (1977 USA). Boston area prog / AORish blend. Not that dissimilar from the Fairchild album, though this one has a bit more complexity to it. Better than other locally produced Beantown prog bands like Blind Owl and Marianus. There’s been some buzz on this album of late, but it’s strictly third tier stuff. Good, but certainly not astounding. No CD exists.

Omega – The Timekeeper (1979 USA). Not the well known Hungarian bunch, but rather a mundane US amateurish hard rock, with some odd electronic soundscapes that are more sophomoric in execution than atmospheric. Overall, a pretty aimless record. But fans of US private presses will enjoy, as this one is pretty much extinct. No CD exists.