Great bands from the 70s and 80s that only released an album or two

1. Group 87 --

"In 1979, former Zappa bassist Patrick O'Hearn teamed with trumpet player Mark Isham and guitarist Peter Maunu to form Group 87, an ensemble heavily influenced by the instrumental jazz fusion of Weather Report as well as the electronic stylings of Kraftwerk, ambient minimalism of Brian Eno and general alternative rock that flourished in that decade. Although only two LPs were produced — Group 87 in 1980 and A Career in Dada Processing in 1984 — Group 87 would help establish the musical direction of O'Hearn's solo career, and both Isham and Maunu would continue as important collaborators on several of O'Hearn's subsequent solo releases. Terry Bozzio on drums for first album and Peter Van Hooke on drums on second album."

2. Random Hold --

"Initially, two Davids, surnamed Ferguson (keyboards) and Rhodes (guitar) respectively felt so uncomfortable with the acclaimed concert of 801 (including, among others, Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera) that they decided to form a musical unit together. This duet initially bore the name “Manscheinen” and “experimental pop” appeared to be a cautious description of the premature results also in terms of instrumental versatility ("One gig was so bad we took the audience down to the pub for a drink instead.", RHA). Although being intermittedly in idle mode, this cooperation led to the creation of “Random Hold” in 1977. Apart of other incarnations the band's most straight ahead sounding outfit consisted of the aforementioned Davids including Pete Phipps of the “Gary Glitter Band” (drums) and Bill MacCormick of Quiet Sun, Matching Mole and 801 (bass). After the struggle through post-natal complications and ongoing ones both external with coming into business and internal considering different views on musical compromises with effects on certain band members the band signed a record contract (Polydor) and was assigned Peter Hammill as producer (a songwriter and musician who is otherwise busy with his own stuff entirely) because Peter Gabriel (who had D. Rhodes on his payroll already) had to decline on schedule reasons. There have been ties to PG since the band was a support act on parts of his 1980 tour and he strongly promoted them as a very remarkable band. However, the amount of public response both in the record stores and on venues clearly justified the sarcasm establishing soon in the comments of the band on their quest for an audience. A British music magazine reflected this by the end of RH:

"Melody Maker, 16th August 1980: In last weeks' issue, Random Hold were looking for a new bass player. This week, they're also looking for a new keyboardist, drummer and guitarist. In other words, Random Hold have split up."(RHA)

The particular reasons for the quarrel between MacCormick and the Davids leading to the split of the band have never been unveiled to date of one of the musicians involved; while the missing success in the working phase, permantly threatened by bankruptcy was suffered with bitter humour, the split-up appeared to be no fun at all and in disillusion (member's sights vary however, see respective link references). A cooperation on a different project was nevertheless established only 5 weeks later between MacCormick and Ferguson. The least mentioned tried to continue RH with an all new personnel, a venture not of a lasting nature. Rhodes meanwhile found relief in studio and stage appearances, primarily as a member of the Peter Gabriel band."

3. Cafe Jacques --

Two late 70s albums by jazz fusion/new wave/prog rock pop trio produced by Rupert Hine with percussion by Phil Collins.

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