ENNEA

After scoring a minor hit with the debut album Chase followed it up with a much more commercially oriented release titled Ennea. There was a definite change of direction in comparison to the Chicago-sounding debut album mainly notable in the vocal department where G.G. Shinn has taken the lead vocals on all but two songs. This to me is a bit of a problem since I'm really not a fan of generic Jazz/Funk sounding vocalists that might be considered good for the genre but I lack a real personality. Also there aren't any instrumental compositions meaning that, more often than not, Shinn and the four trumpeters try to occupy the same space creating some really awkward moments like on I Can Feel It.

Still it's not all that bad and album's first side features quite a few excellent moments like the funky album opener Swanee River, the ballad It Won't Be Long and especially another magnificent interpretation of a cover depicted on So Many People. The remaining three songs are a bit more generic for my tastes although Woman Of The Dark manages to pull off a nice middle section, leading to another chorus repeat, that makes it a bit more interesting.

The album's side two is comprised of a suite titled Ennea, which is the Greek word for nine (ennéa) probably referring to the nine band members. The suite depicts the Greek mythology over the course of the six tracks, starting with Cronus (Saturn), and it's the album's definite highlight in terms of concept and delivery. The tracks flow into each other and create a groove that just didn't exist on the album's earlier tracks and the material definitely justifies being considered progressive. My personal favorites are the two Aphrodite sections that rely a lot more on the atmosphere than the standard Jazz sound.

Even though this album comes close to the level of excellence worthy to be discovered by a lot more people I will have to go for the good, but non-essential rating because I enjoy the other two Chase albums just a bit more that this one. Still, if you've heard and enjoy the debut album and/or Pure Music then this album is a great continuation of the Chase legacy well worth your time.

***** star songs: So Many People (2:44) Aphrodite Part I (Venus) (1:59)

**** star songs: Swanee River (3:12) It Won't Be Long (3:08) Woman Of The Dark (6:01) Cronus (Saturn) (4:48) Zeus (Jupiter) (4:36) Poseidon (Neptune) (2:34) Aphrodite Part II (Venus) (3:37) Hades (Pluto) (3:38)

*** star songs: Night (2:42) I Can Feel It (2:55)