CHICAGO VII

The last swan - progressive and experimental release by Chicago. They must have been embarassed by the too poppy and straightforward previous release at the peak of fusion wave with their potential not utilised.

Not only we have an absolutely stunning first modern jazz part that bears traced of jazz-fusion, we also have quite good pop soft-rock quality songs in the second half.

The instrumental part is well constructed, with a lot of air, enough time to develop. "The prelude to Aire" is a fine exotic ouverture switching to a delicate mellow jazz "Aire" with dominating brass and guitar section. The guitar is at its finest when soloing. The rhythm section is tight and supporting the flow. "Devil's sweet" is a 10- minute packed piece with Canterbury and fusion moments. Sleepy beginning with saxophone/trombone and guitar switches to a nervous percussion/drum and a perfect experimental intensive battle with keyboard and excellent bass lines. This is the maximum depth to which Chicago explored fusion. The remaining two instrumental tracks are easier but still firmly in jazz.

Then come more streamlined songs. "Life Saver" has a very melodic almost anthemic brass lines. Easy jazz- pop tracks are represented by "Happy Man" or "Song of the evergreens". We have one more instrumental, very catchy "Mongonucleosis" - sounds like Chicago.

"Wishing you were here" is a melancholic ballad, so much rooted in pop that even brass instruments are non- present. The vocals and acoustic guitar make up for it. "Call on me" is a fine upbeat song with perfect brass arrangements. "Skinny boy" could easily be released by any funk band of that period.

Pretty solid album.