Peter Green

In the Skies, released in 1979, was Green's first album since The End of the Game. Separated by nine years, the two couldn't have been more different. While the former documented the guitarist's mind-bending explorations in psychedelic blues and fusion, the latter found Green crafting smooth A.O.R. and moody British blues. After his lengthy absence riddled with mental health issues, it was good to have the legend back, even if he did share lead axe duties with Snowy White (who also worked with Thin Lizzy).

For a supposed resident of Cloud-Cuckoo Land, Fleetwood Mac's original hitmaker is doing all right--this solo comeback is a lot solider than number three from Bob Welch (featuring "Future Games" as blast from the past), number two from Danny Kirwan (blonde on the cover), or number one from Jeremy Spencer (now apparently unborn-again, though six out of seven songs pivot on the word "love" and the eternal one is graced with syndrums). Green's new music goes back even before Then Play On, but it's a lot more confident--simple guitar excursions with a Latin lilt, like Carlos Santana with a sense of form (or limits). (Grade: B+)