THE CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Quite impressive debut album (a double LP, no less!). Like everybody alse I know I used to think Chicago as that little pop band that had so many soft hits during the mid/late seventies. I had very little idea that they were much more than that and frankly, I didn´t bother to verify it, since I was too busy discovering the wonderful music of other giants of that era. Only recently I had the opportunity to listen to their first release because I saw the band on PA. I knew that, to be listed here, they had to be more than just another commercial band of the 70´s. So far, so good!

Chicago Transit Authority is not really a jazz rock/fusion record, although some elements of jazz are present. The group developed a great mix of rock, soul, R&B, pop, jazz and even some classical music here and there. The musicians are fantastic and the music here was quite groundbreaking for the time: fresh, elaborated, powerful and yet very accessible. Small wonder it was a hit. In a time when so many new things were happening, Chicago was able to come up with something unique and exciting. The competition was incredible strong at the time, so they did deserve their early fame. And, yes, you can call it progressive (in the broad sense of the term. Please don´t look for symphonic prog like ELP or Yes here)

With a very good reperoire, two fine singers (Robert Lamm and Peter Cetera, also more than competent musicians themselves), a strong rhythm section and a unsual horn section, this album is still impressive, even if some parts are a bit dated (the long jam during Liberation is probably the best exemple). Still, it stands well even today. Their version of Specer Davies Group I´m A Man is probably the best around. But the highlight of this record is really Terry Kath´s brilliant guitar playing: with all his skills, he never overplays, knowing exactly when and where to put his tasteful licks and solos. The only exception to this rule is the guitar-only track Free From Guitar (echoes of Hendrix, of course, but still proving how good he was). Very nice use of extra percussion on some tracks are noticed (in the near future brazilian percussionist Laudir De Oliveira would join them as a permanent member).

Even if the CD is not perfect, this is a stonishing debut for any band and if you like good melodic rock with lots of variations and creativity, you should not miss this one (specially the remastering version that has an excellent sound). Yep, Chicago had its prog days, believe it or not. I´m looking forward to hear some of their other early works. Rating: four strong stars.