Chicago Transit Authority
Formed in 1967, the Chicago Transit Authority echoed the concepts of Blood, Sweat & Tears by adding a jazzy horn section to their rock sound. Before shortening their name due to pressure in their hometown, the CTA released this impressive debut album. Featuring the vocals of keyboard player Robert Lamm, guitarist Terry Kath, and bassist Peter Cetera, Chicago's sound was smoothly orchestrated one minute and overtly raucous the next. The late Terry Kath indulged himself in "Free Form Guitar" and wailed aggressively in the cover of the Spencer Davis Group's hit, "I'm a Man." Robert Lamm wrote most of the original material, including the successful "Beginnings" and "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is." This record shows Chicago fully formed and sounding great.--Mitch Myers