Precious Metal & Uncut Gems

As promised, some more midweek goodies from the vaults of Bigfoot Manor for your enlightenment and edification.
Getting straight to it, here's a doozy for y'all : the unreleased at the time fourth album from Californian Hard Rock gods, Legs Diamond. This is "Uncut Diamond", recorded in 1979, intended as the follow up to "Firepower", but left gathering dust after their deal went up in smoke. It's a return to the harder edged style of "A Diamond Is A Hard Rock", after the poppier approach of the previous album. Had it been released at the time, who knows how the Legs Diamond story might have turned out? Like much of the music we post here, this is another one of those tragic tales of a great band that fell foul of fate but deserved so much better. Download it, rock out, cherish it like the gem it is.

LEGS DIAMOND - Uncut Diamond (1979) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/22919085/LEGS_DIAMOND_-_Uncut_Diamond__USA_-_1980_.rar

Another act which deserved more attention were Georgia's Fortnox, a no-frills power trio, who left us one solitary album and then disappeared into the night never to return. Imagine the biker boogie noize of The Godz crossed with the blunt delivery of The Rods at their peak, but gleaming like polished chrome, courtesy of a slick production job from Chris Tsangriades, and you'll get an idea of the delights on this here platter. Check out the sublime six string work of axemeister Rick Fowler, a lost guitar hero for sure.

FORTNOX - Fortnox (1982) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/22761389/FORTNOX_-_Fortnox__USA-1982_.rar

Next, the highly prized sole release by Snow, a fantastic four piece Hard Rock/Metal combo who stalked the clubs & dives of the Sunset Strip as the '70's gave way to the '80's. Their 10'' self titled mini album appeared on the tiny independent Dynamo label in 1980, before a re release the following year on the equally minuscule Sass imprint. Despite the buzz surrounding them, it all went tits up for Snow & they split in late '81, with guitarist Carlos Cavazo reappearing in Quiet Riot shortly thereafter. His brother, Snow drummer Tony, became the man behind the kit for hair rock act Hurricane across a pair of well received late '80's albums. This is harder fayre than either of those acts, but with an ear for a good chorus, these young and hungry musicians knew how to kick ass. Expect to pay between $150 & $200 for an original, or get it here & now for nothing.

SNOW - Snow Mini LP (1980) USA

http://rapidshare.com/files/22763712/SNOW_-_Snow_Mini_LP__1980-USA_.rar

A couple more NWOBHM 7''s now to close the post.
Firstly, here's the sole release by Portsmouth's China Doll, again this is highly prized by collectors, which is surprising to me as this is definitely at the lighter end of the NWOBHM spectrum. Well crafted, well played songs with a real maturity, which lead me to suspect that this was a band who'd been around for a while before catching the NWOBHM wave. There's a definite '70's feel to the tracks and there's nothing at all wrong with that to my ears. Nice stuff from England's South Coast.

CHINA DOLL - Oysters & Wine (1980) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/22922086/China_Doll_-_Oysters___Wine_7____1980_.rar

Lastly tonight, the tremendous JJs Powerhouse, and their "Running For The Line" 7" from 1983. I don't know too much about the band, although i believe their guitarist went on to join White Heat for their sole 7". The guitar player in question, JJ Cox, is the star of the show here, great stuff from the plank spanker all over these tracks.

JJs POWERHOUSE - Running For The Line (1983) UK

http://rapidshare.com/files/22767853/JJs_POWERHOUSE_-_Running_For_The_Line_7____1983_.rar

That's yer lot for now.
Enjoy!
Remember, all feedback is most welcome, don't be shy.
More soon.