Rhino Records has unleashed a monumental reissue here in the early part of 2017, the Steven Wilson remix of the legendary sophomore release from Chicago, an album long considered one of the bands best but always suffering from a muddy mix. Wilson, who has done wonders remixing & remastering various classic albums by Jethro Tull, King Crimson, Yes, and Gentle Giant among others, has done an incredible job in giving Chicago II new life, eliminating much of the murk and revealing all the sonic clarity as it was originally meant to be heard.
For those who know this classic rock/jazz/pop/prog album front to back, and start to finish, it's a richly textured collection of songs and long form compositions that fully show off the vocal and instrumental skills of the band, yet we've never really been able to hear it in all its glory, until now. The powerful lead vocals of Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, and Peter Cetera here stand up tall, the textured backing vocals from the band rich and warm, with songs like the Beatles influenced "Wake Up Sunshine", Cetera's "Where Do We Go From Here", the whimsical "Fancy Colours", Kath's heartfelt delivery on "Colour My World", and of course his legendary "Make Me Smie" contain vibrant vocal performances that are now crystal clear and exhilarating. The musical performances are also just as sonically perfect, with a clarity and separation that will thrill the listener, allowing the horns, reeds, keyboards, guitars, and rhythms to all stand out from each other and be heard for what seems like the very first time. Check out the sizzling jazz arrangements to 'Better End Soon' suite, Kath's firepower rock licks on the classic "25 or 6 to 4", "Movin' In", and "The Road", the dense colors on "Poem for the People", and the brilliant ensemble work throughout the mind blowing "Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon" epic...just marvelous stuff, now bursting with a brightness that's long been desired by fans.
Honestly, there's no real need to analyze this album in fine detail, as it's been done before and by now we all know Chicago II pretty well, but it's now up to you to experience it the way it was always meant to sound with this new Steven Wilson remix. He has done a fabulous job, as he always seems to do, and most of us I'm sure can't wait to hear the next legendary album he can craft his magic on. Chicago II has been reissued here on CD, LP, and digital, the physical copies also including a replica of the original album insert too for further authenticity. Highly recommended!
See more about this release on our recent YouTube show!
Track Listing
1) Movin' In
2) The Road
3) Poem for the People
4) In the Country
5) Wake Up Sunshine
Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon
6) Make Me Smile
7) So Much to Say, So Much to Give
8) Anxiety's Moment
9) West Virginia Fantasies
10) Colour My World
11) To Be Free
12) Now More Than Ever
13) Fancy Colours
14) 25 or 6 to 4
Memories of Love
15) Prelude
16) M. Mourning
17) M. Mourning
18) Memories of Love
It Better End Soon
19) 1st Movement
20) 2nd Movement
21) 3rd Movement
22) 4th Movement
23) Where Do We Go From Here
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