Murl (Merrell Fankhauser) - Sail It Over The Ocean / Calling From a Star. 1979 USA ~ Hawaii

Wasn't sure what to expect here. I know Fankhauser best from his psych days and the band MU. Both tracks could be considered Yacht Rock. The B) side has some cool synth, that leans in towards a David Bowie type sound. I think I'll hold onto this one given that it's scarce but not expensive enough to sell.

Own with pic sleeve.

3 / 3.5

5/19/25

Bob Abbott - Long Way To My House / Silent Girl. 1975 USA ~ Houston, Texas

This one caught me by surprise. Both tracks more or less go under the category of soft rock, perhaps pop rock. However there is some delicious analog synthesizer putting it over the Yacht Rock line and more to my interest area. A complete unknown, I'm hanging onto to this title.

Own.

More info from Unknown Vinyl Records.

3/3

5/7/25 (new entry)

Amber Band - Keep It Burning / I'm So Confused. 1980 USA ~ San Diego, California

A) side has a hard driving riff though the song is 70s classic rock in construct. I liked the B) side better which contains soft flute and more than a nod to fellow Californians Ambrosia. Nice piece of yacht rock.

3/3.5

4/11/25 

Sterling. 1981 USA-Minneapolis

Classic yacht rock here. Softer than standard AOR with a higher sophistication. Good looking guys singing about love while presumably the sexy female audience are drinking highballs. Get out your white pants and double breasted blue coat.

Own. Thrift shop find (2024)

9/2/23 (first listen / review); 1/1/25 (new entry)

Duc - Hopeless Battle / Caught in a Rush. 197? USA

Great find here. I'm a sucker for rhythm guitar to begin with, and this gets the song started right away, including a driving bass and drums. Excellent singer. There's a killer mid song hard rock riff that's downright proggy, followed by one of the two cool guitar solos. The B) side might be even better. Love the rhythm guitar, has a sweet yacht rock thing going while the guitar rips along in his own world, especially the psyched out solo. Top notch group here - Duc should have been signed up. 

This was my favorite discovery of 2022.

Ownership: SP: 19?? Screamin' Duck. Online acquisition (2022).

I found a couple of references (including 45cat) of the band being known as Duc. It looks like Ducs and it was sold that way to me. Can see it either way.

4.5 / 5.0

1/27/22