Chicago II: A Classic Remixed by Steven Wilson
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Chicago II , the second album by the band Chicago from 1970, is in my opinion one of the coolest records of the 70s. So I sat down for this new mix by none other than Steven Wilson! He already did that remix in 2016, but it is only now released as a separate double LP on vinyl (before only in a box set ).
From CTA to II
Chicago began their career as Chicago Transit Authority , a name they were soon forced to shorten to simply Chicago after legal pressure. Their second album was therefore simply titled Chicago , but soon became known as Chicago II.
On this album we hear a young band that pushes the boundaries of rock music with jazz influences, political lyrics and a three-piece horn section that rocks just as hard as the guitars. From the hits “25 or 6 to 4” and “Make Me Smile” to the almost classic “Ballet for a Girl in Buchannon”. This is an album where musicality and ambition go hand in hand.
Steven Wilson's mix: back to the core
Steven Wilson is known for his great solo albums, the band Porcupine Tree and his remixes of Yes, King Crimson and Jethro Tull. For this Chicago reissue he has taken the original multitrack tapes in hand. And as we have come to expect from him, the result is a mix that not only sounds clearer, but also seems to be closer to the intention of the musicians. What stands out: the instruments have been given more space. The horns blast out of your speakers without drowning out the whole, and the vocals sound warmer and more direct. and perhaps most striking: Danny Seraphine's drumming comes into its own better.
For the seasoned fan, this is a chance to rediscover the album, with fresh ears. But also for those who don't know Chicago well, this is a perfect starting point: an album that is both challenging and accessible, and that in this version sounds as it should have always sounded!
So: put that needle on the vinyl, turn up the volume, and let yourself be surprised by this fresh mix of Chicago II . And if you don't have it yet... you guessed it: it's waiting for you at Bob's Vinyl. Order it here:
