The Asylum Years

's 2018 compilation offers the two albums recorded for the label in the mid-'70s: 1976's and 1977's . These were the first two solo albums ever recorded, arriving on the heels of his stint with ' , a short-lived reunion in 1973, and a similarly brief supergroup with and . Both of the albums share some aesthetic similarities with these post- projects, capturing an increasingly polished take on roots music that starts to verge into the yacht rock arena. Of the two, is a bit tougher, thanks to a production that gives plenty of space for a crew of pros -- including such all-stars as , , and -- to lay down a foundation that underpins the softer moments. The balance flips on , whose surfaces are slicker, a move that accentuates how and producer dabble in such '70s affectations as Caribbean rhythms. Far from being alienating, the period gloss of is a bit of a selling point -- these are warm, cozy productions that offer comfort -- and if you can hear beyond the smooth touches, it's clear that made two records that served as a bridge between . ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine