CHICAGO [AKA: CHICAGO II]

Perhaps the progressive jazz-rock peak of the band. Releasing the second double-album out of series of three allowed them to expand the sound, extend epic compositions and bring diversity.

The album starts with a jazzy rocker with amazing saxophone solo, then trumpet and trombone. Together with the voices of Kath and Cetera, they describe the classic sound of Chicago.

"Poem for the people" is the first real gem with jazz-guitar licks, brass hooks while "In the country" is a nice rocker with well developed singing and guitar playing.

Then we have the first suite, by Pankow, starting a bit adventurous before more conventional vocal comes in and there's a plesant guitar solo closer to jazz than rock. The following short pieces are mainly instrumental and remind a bit of big band structure. The standout is "West Virginia Fantasies" with excellent brass arrangements and guitar strumming. "Color my world" is almost a soul number, very down to earth and mellow. "Now more than ever" is a good finale of the suite.

"Fancy colors" has the jazz-soul feeling, nice organ and rocking guitar solo. The hit "25 or 6 to 4" is a rocking number, quite good but non-essential to me.

"Memories of love" is a classically inspired mainly instrumental suite, quite ambitious for the age of the band and its members. Jazz is put aside here.

Right next we have another suite - this is the most conventional - typical jazz-rock exercise. "2nd movement" is a standout with flute and brass workouts.

"Where do we go from here" leaves the listener on a formidable and accessible note.

Essential masterwork of jazz-rock.