Chicago Transit Authority [Chicago] - "Chicago Transit Authority"

For their first album, the group that would become known as Chicago made a very good fusion of jazz and rock. The group's name was originally Chicago Transit Authority but had to change their name to just Chicago shortly after the release of this album due to a possible lawsuit from the actual CTA office.

Though the band would eventually become very famous singing late 70s and 1980s style love/power ballads it is easy to forget that they were originally gained fame as a pretty rocking band. They were also one of, if not the only, band to successfully integrate a constant horn and woodwind section into their popular sound.

While I enjoy their second album a little more, this is a very strong debut with the excellent "Does Anybody Really Know what Time it is?" "Beginnings" and "South California Purples." The guitar playing from the late Terry Kath is excellent, though the track"Free Form Guitar" could have been far more interesting instead of just being rhythmic feedback. There are a number of strong instrumental jams particularly "Introduction," "Liberation" and "Poem 58." The CD reissue feature great sound and an excellent 14 page booklet that feature old photos as well as liner notes by Rolling Stone magazine writer David Wild. Overall the interplay between all the instruments is awesome; some of the jam sessions get a little long and the group's desire to make big statements becomes a little much, but for those who like the 1970s style jam fusion groups like Santana and Mahavishnu Orchestra you may want to check this out. And like Chicago says "this is only the beginning."