Ambrosia is one of those bands whose hits cause listeners to conjure idyllic reminisces of the past. In Ambrosia's case, that past primarily covers 1978, when they scored No. 3 hit "How Much I Feel," to 1980 when "Biggest Part of Me" hit No. 3 then crossed over to the soul chart. Those songs, along with "You're the Only Woman (You & I)," were played through speakers at backyard barbecues and in Chevy Camaros across America, becoming slow dance staples at proms and homecomings. Although Ambrosia's history dates back longer and extends farther, the sound they developed helps define a sliver in time between disco and hip-hop.

The band formed in 1970 as a Southern Californian quartet featuring drummer Burleigh Drummond, keyboardist Christopher North, guitarist David Pack and bassist Joe Puerta, with the latter two handling lead vocals. Acts such as the Beach Boys and the Beatles influenced their early progressive music and vocal arrangements, with producer Alan Parsons playing a pivotal role in their career, but Ambrosia scored big when they moved towards jazz and R&B for 1978 album Life Beyond L.A. Now a sextet, expect all the hits plus covers of the Beatles "Magical Mystery Tour" and Bruce Hornsby's "The Way It Is."

Golden Nugget, 8 p.m. Jan. 17, starting at $29 plus tax and fee. 800.745.3000 Ticketmaster