Steve Hackett's next album, Defector, was stylistically similar to his previous album, Spectral Mornings. Again recorded with his band, it's another strong showing from the former Genesis guitarist. The bass pedals are in force for the opening "The Steppes," providing the foundation for another of Hackett's big instrumentals. His guitar soars above the plodding rhythm, setting the stage for the next track, "Time to Get Out." It's a classic up-tempo Hackett song, with Pete Hicks again providing a capable vocal (albeit to some strange lyrics).

Yes guitarist Steve Howe released his first solo album Beginnings in 1975 when all the members of Yes were on sabbatical recording solo albums. Perhaps the most disappointing from the lot, the album was oddly produced and lacked the epic songwriting of Yes; and then there was the issue with Howe’s singing... But his bass playing aside, it did feature his exemplary guitar playing; after all he was close to the start of a five year run of being voted Guitar Player magazine’s Best Overall Guitarist. That said, the album charted on both sides of the Atlantic, even nearing the Top 20 in the UK.

Following a BBC Top Gear session in June 1974, Henry Cow eventually merged with the German-Anglo band Slapp Happy. Originally from Hamburg, the trio set up shop in the UK after signing with Virgin Records; they first re-recorded their second album, Casablanca Moon, after Polydor refused to release it (recorded with Faust, the original recording eventually saw release as Acnalbasac Noom in 1980).

Lindsay Cooper, previously with the folk band Comus, replaced Geoff Leigh for Henry Cow's second album, Unrest, released in May 1974, again for Virgin Records. The opener, "Bittern Storm Over Ulm," is somehow based on The Yardbirds' "Got to Hurry." Nevermind the how, it is one of the most listenable tracks on the album; "Half Asleep; Half Awake" is introduced by a somber piano, but as it unfolds with the band playing, it reveals a delightfully melodic tune, though one turned sideways once the improvisation begins.