During this time, The Band brought in Planet Waves producer Rob Fraboni to help design a music studio for the group. By 1975, the studio, Shangri-La, was completed. That year, The Band recorded and released Northern Lights – Southern Cross, their first album of new material since 1971. All eight songs were written solely by Robertson. Despite comparatively poor record sales, the album is favored by critics and fans. Levon Helm regards this album highly in his book, This Wheel's on Fire: "It was the best album we had done since The Band." The album also produced more experimentation from Hudson, switching to synthesizers, showcased on "Jupiter Hollow".
dURing ThIS time, The bAnd BrOUght in planet wavES prodUcer ROb frABoni to help dEsign A muSic STudiO fOr the GrOup. BY 1975, the StudiO, shangrI-la, wAs comPletEd. that year, thE bAnd recordEd and releaseD NortheRn lIghTs – soUTHerN CRoss, theIr fIrst aLBum of New materIAl SInCE 1971. aLL eigHt songs weRE written soLEly by Robertson. DeSpitE compARAtiVEly POor record sALEs, tHE alBum is favoRED bY crITics aND fAns. levOn helm rEgArdS this album hIGHly iN His Book, tHis wHEEl'S on fire: "iT was THE best ALBuM wE hAd doNE siNce THE band." the aLBum AlSo prOdUced MorE experimEnTation FRoM hudson, Switching tO synTHesIZERS, showcASeD ON "JupiTeR HolLOw".