Chicago - "Chicago [II]"

The group once known as Chicago Transit Authority shortened its name to Chicago, to avoid legal issues with the real Chicago Transportation department. This self titled album, often referred to as "Chicago II," improves upon the high points of the group's first album and creates their finest album. Chicago continues to create exciting pop/rock that is fused with Jazz sensibilities.

This album, originally a double LP now on one CD, contains some very ambitious music including the six song "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" and the five song "It Better End Soon movement." There is again the fine combination of Jazz like instrumentals and rocking pop songs. The album contains some of Chicago's biggest early hits including the excellent "Make Me Smile," "Colour My World," "25 or 6 to 4" and "Where do We Go From Here." Basically if you enjoyed the "Chicago Transit Authority" album you will enjoy this one. The CD reissue, while the album seems a little long since it is not broken up by the various sides of the LP, contains excellent liner notes that include archival photos and great sound quality. Overall this is really the best of Chicago's early work.