CHICAGO AT CARNEGIE HALL

Live albums often find groups at the top of their game - just think 'Lotus', Santana's spellbinding three-disc live offering or Deep Purple's epic double-sided 'Made In Japan' - and this mammoth four-disc spectacular from Chicago is no exception. When initially released during 1971 this spellbinding compilation came housed in a suitably lavish package which included a box, posters and a colour booklet. Now, almost four-decades later the equally lavish Rhino reissue happily follows suit, everything now CD-sized and not only sounding crisper and cleaner but also with an entire additional disc of material that didn't make the original cut. Bigger and better and brighter, this definitive concert release features an extra dimension making it even more impressive than it's original form, showcasing one of the top American rock group's playing at their heady peak. Summing up the individual tracks seems a moot point; this is essentially a greatest hits package of the groups first three albums played live at the Carnegie Hall, a place noted in the informative booklet that before this seminal set of gigs was strictly a classical or jazz venue that wasn't too keen on raucous rook groups filling it up. Luckily, however, Chicago were given the chance and the results are simply fantastic. Although expensive(British version: £44.99) this is an absolute must for both Chicago die-hards and those who dig a bit of classic rock in it's purest environment. Some say the shorter live offering 'Chicago In Japan' is better; they're wrong. Simply put, this is one of the top live albums of all time.

STEFAN TURNER, STOKE NEWINGTON, 2012