CHICAGO [AKA: CHICAGO II]

Considered by many to be the absolute highlight of Chicago's career, 'Chicago II' was, like its predecessor, a lengthy double-sided release that again mixed elements of jazz, pop, rock 'n' roll and psychedelia to impressive effect. Although the double-album format has, of course, seen mixed results over the years - some albums proved overblown and indulgent; others featured a dearth of quality material filling up the gaps - Chicago's were anything but, always a group with more than enough quality material to make the concept work. Both their 1969 debut 'Chicago Transit Authority' and this follow-up feature well over an hour of material with rarely a dull moment to be had, both albums showcasing Chicago at their most experimental. 'Chicago II' may well start in fairly mainstream territory with the upbeat 'Movin' In', yet the album is most notable for the three multi-part song suites - James Pankow's eight-minute 'Ballet For A Girl In Buchanon', the rather beautiful 'Memories Of Love' by Terry Kath and non-member Peter Matz and the strange, neo-classical strains of 'It Better End Soon' courtesy of Robert Lamm and Walter Parazaider - that take up almost half the running time. More interesting, however, is the addition of '25 On 6 To 4', a charging jazz-rock anthem that quickly became a fan favourite. Quoted by some as being 'deliberately mysterious', '25 On 6 To 4'describes in hazy fashion the effects of what seems to be a particularly memorable LSD trip, though the actual meaning of the lyrics has been the subject of great debate over the years. Whatever the view, '25 On 6 To 4' is an armour-plated Chicago classic and one of the group's rockiest songs, the placing of the song alongside the elegiac and delicate 'Memories Of Love' showcasing just what an eclectic album 'Chicago II' is. Whether it's a superior album to its predecessor is actually a moot point; both albums represent the very best of early Chicago. A technically-assured, complex and delightfully experimental blend of styles, this is progressive music in the truest sense of the word. A fantastic group, Chicago really were one of the finest of all American rock 'n' roll groups, this album a prime example. STEFAN TURNER, ANGEL, 2012