Again recording as A.R. & Machines, 1972 saw Achim Reichel release the ambitious double-album opus, Echo. He enlisted the services of Conny Plank as engineer and featured a host of guest musicians including Dicky Tarrach, Hans Lampe, Jochen Petersen and others. It’s an unprecedented set, a complete long-form take of the A.R. & Machines’ trip, and easily one of the most stunning albums of the “krautrock” era.

Tim Blake was ousted from Gong following the completion of their Radio Gnome Invisible trilogy in 1974. After a solo recording contract with Virgin stalled, Blake found himself back in France, near penniless and homeless. He then teamed up with light artist Patrice Warrener to help pilot the Crystal Machine into what was perhaps the first full-on laser light show experience. The duo presented the production at a couple of weeklong residencies in Paris in 1975, before eventually taking the extravaganza to Britain in 1976.

Founded by keyboardist Chuck Leavell and the powerful rhythm section of drummer Jai Johanny Johanson (aka Jaimoe) and bassist Lamar Williams, the trio first made themselves known by opening shows for The Allman Brothers Band under the moniker We Three. Jaimoe, of course, was a founding member of the Allman Bros.; while both Leavell and Williams came on board in 1972.

In 1971, keyboardist Claudio Simonetti and drummer Walter Martino first teamed up in Il Ritratto di Dorian Gray: a band from Rome that played British-style prog rock. In 1973, Simonetti, now with guitarist Massimo Morante and bassist Fabio Pignatelli, traveled to London and recruited an English singer, Clive Haynes. Adopting the name Oliver, the band reputedly sparked the interest of producer Eddie Offord; it's an unsurprising connection, as music from this era sounds a lot like Yes! However, nothing panned out.