Chicago ‎– Chicago III 1971 (Columbia)

Label : Columbia 

Value :

This thrilling 1971 album by Chicago is the last to feature the lengthy song-cycle suites that characterized their 1969-1971 output. Bringing together aspects of jazz rock, progressive rock (as it existed in 1971), acid rock, and avant-garde influences, this also may be their most experimental album - unlike the first two albums, there were no smash hits on Chicago III.
All of the guys in Chicago were excellent musicians and the ensemble work on the album is fantastic. Counterpoint, melodies, harmonies, and the use of sophisticated meters are all used very well and make this album an extremely interesting listening experience. The guys were great vocalists too and they used the differences in the texture of their voices very well - for example, Terry sang the heavier pieces, while Peter sang the "sweeter", more melodic songs etc. Then there is the use of instrumentation: great big-band type horn arrangements, searing electric guitar, Danny Seraphines great drumming, Peter's fantastic bass playing (he is criminally underrated)...whew, this is great stuff. Speaking of Peter, he is one of the few rock bassists that can play a convincing walking bass line and really drives each tune along. 

Taste :

Chicago ‎- Happy 'Cause I'm Going Home

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By Electric Looser

Ndikho Xaba And The Natives - Ndikho Xaba And The Natives 1971 (Trilyte)

Label : Trilyte

Value :

 Spiritual sounds and a heck of a lot more – served up by Ndiko Xaba, an expatriate South African musician who was working in Oakland at the time of this record – fusing together the roots of his homeland with some wonderfully free and open American jazz styles! At times, there's a bit of a Dollar Brand vibe in Xaba's piano – long lines, with a really compelling pulse – but other times, the music opens up with the kind of searching freedoms you'd hear on the AACM scene of the time – mixing together righteous styles with inventive musical expression! The great Plunky – of Oneness Of Juju fame – is in the group on tenor, soprano sax, and flute – and the record also features Black Fire labelmate Lon Moshe on vibes and percussion, plus additional percussion, bass, and drums.

 Taste :

Ndikho Xaba and The Natives - Freedom

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By Electric Looser