Multi Grammy-nominated vocal powerhouse Ryan Shaw and acclaimed pianist/composer/arranger Ray Angry (The Roots) have teamed up for OFF BROADWAY, a new studio album featuring R&B, soul, as well as jazz, rock, reggae, house and classical-inspired takes on classic Broadway hits.
With material spanning over 70 years, OFF BROADWAY is due out on May 2nd from Eusonia Records/FORM Records/Mister Goldfinger Music Group/Center Stage Records and is produced by Grammy Award-winner Scott Jacoby (John Legend, Coldplay, Aloe Blacc) along with Shaw and Angry. Angry and Shaw arranged the music, and Jacoby recorded and mixed the album.
Of OFF BROADWAY, Ryan Shaw comments, “OFF BROADWAY was the record I always wanted to make but didn’t know I wanted to make it. The whole process was a whirlwind of inspiration and incredible musicianship. I haven’t been this excited about music in a long time. Thank you, Scott, for seeing what was right in front of me.” Ray Angry adds, “OFF BROADWAY was an unforgettable recording experience. Everyone brought their ‘A game.’ What an honor to have the opportunity to work with such brilliant and kind human beings.”
Scott Jacoby avows, “This album is an explosion of two prodigious talents. Ryan and Ray are unparallelled in their virtuosity and unlimited in their ability. The project started as a “what if…,” inspired by witnessing Ray and Ryan perform together, and ended with something which no one could have predicted: a deep and adventurous album of Broadway gems, reimagined in a cornucopia of musical styles. OFF BROADWAY emerged from the energy that connects us all to music. I’m proud to have played a role in this innovative album.”
Center Stage Records President Van Dean states, “We are so pleased to partner with Ryan Shaw and Ray Angry on this bold reimagining of Broadway classics. What Ryan and Ray have created is so central to the mission of Center Stage Records, and we can’t wait to share OFF BROADWAY with the world.”
Ray Angry adds, “OFF BROADWAY was an unforgettable recording experience. Everyone brought their ‘A game.’ What an honor to have the opportunity to work with such brilliant and kind human beings.”
Center Stage Records President Van Dean states,“We are so pleased to partner with Ryan Shaw and Ray Angry on this bold reimagining of Broadway classics. What Ryan and Ray have created is so central to the mission of Center Stage Records, and we can’t wait to share OFF BROADWAY with the world.”
Shaw and Angry will again join forces for a very special New York City album release live performance event at 54 Below on Tuesday, May 6th.
Ryan Shaw/Ray Angry OFF BROADWAY track listing:
1. My Way – from Sinatra: The Musical
2. On Broadway – used in Smokey Joe’s Café
3. Surprise – from A Chorus Line
4. Gethsemane – from Jesus Christ Superstar
5. She Used To Be Mine – from Waitress
6. On The Street Where You Live – from My Fair Lady
7. Without You – from Rent
8. Waving Through A Window – from Dear Evan Hansen
9. Send In The Clowns – from A Little Night Music
Susanna Hoffs has released a new recording of “Eternal Flame,” the hit song she co-wrote in 1988 with Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. It was first released on the Bangles third album, Everything.
“I was inspired to sing it again!” says Hoffs. “As I stood before the microphone, I fought back tears of gratitude-for the opportunity to sing a song I have loved and cherished my entire adult life. We’ve grown up together!”
“I’ve been touched time and again by stories from friends and strangers alike who’ve expressed how much “Eternal Flame” has meant to them, whether the song played as they walked down the aisle at their wedding, or brought consolation. I still wake up each morning, motivated to sing, to write, to make art, and to find ways to connect. I’m still that same girl with that same emotion-older, and hopefully wiser.”
On April 9, Susanna will release a version of “Eternal Flame” with the chamber ensemble, yMusic. Her new solo album will be out this fall.
In an extraordinary resurgence, 90-year-old entertainment icon and philanthropist Pat Boone has returned to the music charts. The most recent in an ongoing release of singles and albums, “One – Voices For Tanzania,” debuts at No. 28 on the A/C Adult Contemporary chart, marking his first Top 30 hit in decades.
Boone’s last major chart success was in 1997 with In A Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy, which landed at No. 125 on the Billboard 200. The song is also receiving airplay on country radio, further broadening its reach and impact.
This accomplishment highlights not only Boone’s lasting influence in the music industry but also his unwavering commitment to humanitarian efforts. “One – Voices For Tanzania” is more than a song-it’s a call to action supporting essential water projects in Tanzania, transforming Boone’s musical triumph into a dynamic force for global change.
The proceeds from the song aid in funding clean water initiatives and providing essential services such as food, health care, and education for the Tanzanian people. Thanks to a generous WorldServe donor, all contributions will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of each donation. Donations can be made at One for Tanzania.
If there’s one thing we know about Max Kerman—frontman of Arkells, champion of community spirit, and eternal optimist—it’s that he tries. Like, really tries. And he succeeds. And starting April 22, 2025, he’s inviting the rest of us to do the same with his debut book, TRY HARD, published by Penguin Random House Canada.
Funny, candid, and packed with lessons for anyone who’s ever wanted to start—a song, a side hustle, a new chapter—TRY HARD isn’t a rockstar memoir. It’s a creative guide from the guy who’s turned effort into an art form.
“I’m going to try stuff. So please come try stuff with me,” Max says of his release week events—and he means it. From a high school auditorium in Toronto to a neighbourhood bar in Hamilton, Max is turning traditional book launches into full-on communal experiments in curiosity and creativity. Each stop is a little different, but one thing’s certain: this isn’t your average Q&A. It’s a celebration of effort, energy, and the beauty of showing up.
TRY HARD Release Week Appearances
April 22 – Toronto, ON – Max’s High School Auditorium
April 24 – Calgary, AB – Calgary Word Fest, Central Library
April 25 – Winnipeg, MB – McNally Robinson Booksellers
April 27 – Hamilton, ON – ODDS Bar – Book Club Sessions
Max is giving us a look behind the curtain, and he’s pulling up a chair and saying, “Ask me anything.” From songwriting to show-prepping to building a band that lasts, TRY HARD is a conversation with your most enthusiastic friend. The one who reminds you it’s OK not to have all the answers, as long as you care enough to ask the questions.
The best part? None of it’s about talent. It’s about effort. Effort that builds careers, songs, relationships, and communities.
So if you’ve ever stared at a blank page, a guitar string, or a new idea and thought, “Can I really do this?”—Max Kerman has an answer for you: try hard.
Pre-order TRY HARD now at penguinrandomhouse.ca, and check out maxkerman.com for event tickets and info.
Because trying hard? That might just be the coolest thing you can do.
North Mississippi Allstars return with Still Shakin’ on June 6, 2025 via New West Records. The 11-track album was produced by Luther & Cody Dickinson. Still Shakin’ follows their acclaimed 2022 album Set Sail, which No Depression said was “their most soulful, funky creation to date.”
To make their twelfth album, the North Mississippi Allstars went back to the beginning—namely, their 2000 debut, Shake Hands with Shorty. Luther Dickinson says, “Still Shakin’ is a celebration of our life-changing first album, which we released 25 years ago, and a love letter of appreciation to everyone who supported us and kept us in the game all these years. Touring this album cycle into 2026 will mark thirty years since we started North Mississippi Allstars, and we couldn’t resist commemorating those anniversaries with a new record. In the spirit of our debut, we recorded Mississippi classics that despite inspiring us to start the band in 1996, we have yet to record. We also wanted to feature our fantastic band mates Joey Williams and Rayfield “Ray Ray” Hollman who inspire us to no end. Their contributions elevate NMA to new heights.” Still Shakin’ is a daringly inventive expansion of that album, showing how much the Dickinson Brothers have grown in the last 25 years.
The point wasn’t to re-create the sound of Shake Hands with Shorty, but to recapture that spirit of invention and excitement. Back in the day, the Allstars came up with the phrase Modern Mississippi Music to describe their collision of styles and attitudes: an obsession with Mississippi Hill Country and Sacred Steel cross-bred with their stoner/punk/psychedelic jams. Still Shakin’ embodies that idea with every note and incorporates wild explorations, weird experiments, and unexpected influences into their sound.
Today, Relix premiered the video for the album’s title track, which was shot at the family’s beloved Zebra Ranch Studio, Willie Mitchell’s Royal Studio, at the Boulder Theater, and features footage supplied by North Mississippi Allstars fans. Of the song, Luther Dickinson said “Still Shakin’” is a testament to our chemistry and collaboration with bandmates, Joey and Ray Ray. The music came together easily, improvising in the studio and I began recording the lyrics as they came to me, day after day, out on the road, in hotel rooms, using my kid’s plastic karaoke mic. The song is filled with inside jokes from the last 30 years and gratitude to our fans for keeping us in the game.”
SHARE NORTH MISSISSIPPI ALLSTARS’ “STILL SHAKIN’” VIDEO
A collective of musicians by design, the North Mississippi Allstars have never had a set-in-stone lineup. Instead, as their name suggests, they’ve always welcomed anyone who might push the music in new directions. Still Shakin’ includes a new generation of North Mississippi musicians: Robert Kimbrough, son of Junior Kimbrough, and Duwayne Burnside, son of R.L. Burnside. It also features Kashia Hunter on steel guitar, Grahame Lesh, son of Grateful Dead founding member Phil Lesh (whom Still Shakin’ is dedicated to), as well as the current Allstars touring lineup: Joey Williams (the Blind Boys of Alabama), and Rayfield “Ray Ray” Holloman (Eminem, Ne- Yo). Luther adds, “We are proud to represent the Memphis Music Underground, the Community of North Mississippi musicians and be a part of the modern-day touring culture. We always keep one eye on the road ahead, in the moment at hand, while anticipating the future. The other eye is on the rear-view mirror, reflecting the elders and their repertoire night after night. Our music evokes home, which is nice, since we travel so much. The locations change but music itself is our constant. We look forward to the next 25 years of North Mississippi World Boogie.”
Luther and Cody Dickinson started the North Mississippi Allstars in 1996. They were inspired by their father, the legendary producer & musician Jim Dickinson, as well as their neighbors and elders, such as R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough, Otha Turner, and Fred McDowell. Luther’s first national tour was playing guitar for Burnside in 1997, when he was touring A Ass Pocket of Whiskey and selling out shows throughout North America. Luther says, “That experience blew my mind. R.L., Kenny Brown, and Cedric Burnside taught me how to tour. Cody and I have been on the road ever since.” Three decades later, the North Mississippi Allstars are still a touring force and will be throughout the US and Europe on the Still Shakin’ tour this year.
Still Shakin’ will be available across digital platforms, compact disc, and standard black vinyl. A limited red color LP edition autographed by the band, as well as a limited autographed CD edition will be available via Independent Retailers. A limited-to-600 yellow color LP autographed by the band will be available via Heady Wax Fiends. An autographed CD edition, as well as an exclusive & very limited silver “25th Anniversary Pressing” autographed by the band, are both available for pre-order NOW directly via NEW WEST RECORDS.
Still Shakin’ Track Listing:
1. Preachin’ Blues
2. Stay All Night (feat. Robert Kimbrough & Joey Williams)
3. My Mind is Ramblin’
4. Pray for Peace (feat. Joey Williams)
5. K.C. Jones (Part II) (feat. Jojo Hermann & Grahame Lesh)
6. Still Shakin’
7. Poor Boy (feat. Duwayne Burnside)
8. Don’t Let the Devil Ride (feat. Joey Williams)
9. Write Me a Few Lines (CD & Digital Only Bonus Track)
10. John Henry
11. Monomyth (Folk Hero’s Last Ride)
North Mississippi Allstars On Tour:
April 4 – Mills River, NC – High Gravity Room at Sierra Nevada Brewery
April 5 – Douglas, GA – The Martin Centre
April 6 – Jacksonville Beach, FL – Springing the Blues Festival
April 10 – St. Petersburg, FL – Tampa Bay Blues Festival
April 11 – St. Petersburg, FL – Tampa Bay Blues Festival
April 24 – Fort Worth, TX – Tulips
April 25 – Houston, TX – Rockefellers
April 26 – Austin TX – Austin Blues Festival
April 27 – New Orleans, LA – Tipitina’s
May 1 – Miramar Beach , FL – Sun, Sand and Soul
June 3 – Deventer, Netherlands – Burgerweeshuis
June 4 – Utrecht, Netherlands – TivoliVredenburg
June 5 – Venlo, Netherlands – Grenswerk
June 6 – Oss, Netherlands – Groene Engel
June 7 – Peer, Belgium – Blues Peer
June 12 – Ardmore , PA – Ardmore Music Hall
June 13 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Bowl NY
June 14- Shirley , MA – The Bull Run Restaurant
June 15 – Fairfield, CT – Sacred Heart University Community Theatre
June 18 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom & Tavern
June 19 – Cincinnati , OH – Ludlow Garage
June 20 – Indianapolis, IN – HI-FI
June 21 – Evanston, IL – SPACE
June 27 – Waterford, MS – North Mississippi Hill Country Picnic
July 1 – San Sebastian, Spain – Dabadaba
July 2 – Barcelona, Spain – La Nau
July 3 – Valencia, Spain – 16 Toneladas
July 4 – Madrid, Spain – El Sol
July 5 – Cazorla, Spain – Festival Blues Cazorla
July 10 – Lewes, DE – Rocking The Dock Music Series
July 11 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head on Stage
July 12 – Johnstown, PA – Peoples Natural Gas Park
July 23 – Novato, CA – Cookout Concert Series @ HopMonk Tavern Novato
July 24 – Crystal Bay, NV – Gambler’s Run Music Festival After Party
July 26 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center for the Arts
July 27 – Portsmouth, NH – Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club
July 28 – Big Indian, NY – Roots Rock Revival
July 29 – Big Indian, NY – Roots Rock Revival
July 30 – Big Indian, NY – Roots Rock Revival
July 31 – Big Indian, NY – Roots Rock Revival
August 1 – Big Indian, NY – Roots Rock Revival
August 14 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub
August 15 – Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub
August 16 – Humble, TX – Charles Bender Performing Arts Center
October 11 – Memphis, TN – Country Blues Festival @ Overton Park Shell
October 25 – St. Louis, MO – The Sheldon Hall
New York City is famed as the proving ground for aspiring jazz musicians, but the metropolis boasts unique challenges as well as singular delights for anyone who braves its bustling thoroughfares and soaring high rises. Trombonist Michael Dease and composer Gregg Hill both served their time in the urban jungle, formative years that provide the patchwork of colors and emotions that make up Dease’s latest album of Hill’s compositions, the multi-faceted City Life.
“We all become New Yorkers once we spend some time in the city,” Dease says. “Of course there’s that element of sophistication that we all rise to meet, but no matter how cultured you become, you can’t get away from the grit and the rawness that New York exhibits.”
Available June 20, 2025 via Origin Records, City Life is the third album that Dease and Hill have crafted together – this one staggering double album primarily focused on the compositions of the prolific Mr. Hill. Both feature the stellar rhythm section of bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts, a first-time pairing whose bristling chemistry was a keen stroke of intuition on Dease’s part. For the second album they form the core of a remarkable quintet with pianist Geoffrey Keezer and tenor saxophonist Nicole Glover. Special guests include the trombonist’s daughter, Brooklyn Dease, and his former student, bassist Jared Beckstead-Craan.
These collaborators, and the carefully selected repertoire, bring out a different side of the acclaimed trombonist than many listeners might be used to. Dease is revered as one of the most versatile voices of his generation, but he’s best known as a modern-day torchbearer for the jazz tradition. City Life doesn’t deviate from that tradition so much as detour into some of its more adventurous pathways, with Dease displaying a more rough-hewn and fiery approach while maintaining his virtuosic agility.
“This project feels a bit like taking the gloves off,” Dease says. “It’s all based on that unpolished, risky feeling that you encounter in the city. These days I go back with much more money than I had when I lived there, but you still get sideswiped by a car, you still step in a puddle at the curb, you still get told to go to hell. There’s no way to escape that power that New York City possesses.”
Dease spent more than a decade as a New Yorker, though he’s now lived in Michigan, where he’s a professor at Michigan State University, even longer. It’s there that he met Hill, a native of central Michigan whose diverse career paths have led him across the country. The composer turned his attention to writing music relatively late in that eclectic life, but has chalked up an impressive catalogue of tunes in an incredibly short time, partially documented on nine albums between Dease, bassist Rodney Whitaker, and guitarist Randy Napoleon.
In addition to a dozen new Hill compositions, Dease contributed a pair of his own contributions to the mix, both complementing the mood of the session. He also chose a pair of lesser-known pieces by one of his musical idols, J.J. Johnson, one by the late guitarist Emily Remler, another by saxophonist Greg Tardy, and one by his frequent collaborator, composer Sharel Cassity.
A longtime admirer of Watts’ playing, Dease knew that Tain was the perfect drummer for the session; the two had gotten to know one another during the trombonist’s six-year stint in David Sanborn’s band. While he considered a number of veteran bassists who shared proven chemistry with the drummer, he ultimately chose Oh for her profound gifts as well as the element of the unknown that the pairing brought. Dease and Oh met while attending the Betty Carter Jazz Ahead program, and the bassist later appeared on Dease’s 2014 big band album Relentless.
“Tain is sort of a musical representation of New York City because the city has so many sides to it. You need somebody that is fully dedicated to their art and open-minded enough to join different musical situations. Linda shares that compatibility, and she’s one of my favorite bass players, with such a deep sound.”
Keezer is another veteran of the Sanborn band, who Dease describes as, “another musical chameleon, who has a vast repository of urban experiences from Tokyo to New York to Los Angeles.” Glover, meanwhile, has rapidly established herself as one of the most vital saxophonists on the contemporary scene, as a leader, as a frequent performer with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and as a member of the supergroup Artemis. “Nicole’s sound and intensity are very commanding,” Dease continues. “She’s one of the leading voices on tenor of our times, and I knew she would capture the musical message of the record.”
That message comes through loud and clear, sophisticated and gritty, hectic and elegant, throughout these two wide-ranging albums. In other words, it vibrantly captures the kaleidoscopic colors and multifarious flavors of City Life.
Regina Spektor will reissue five of her acclaimed albums on limited edition color vinyl: Begin To Hope (Yellow Flame LP), Far (Velum Clear LP), What We Saw From The Cheap Seats (Translucent Red LP), Remember Us To Life (Black Clouds 2LP), and Live in London (Curacao 2LP).
This marks a return to vinyl for Far and Live in London, with both albums having been out of print for several years. All five will be available everywhere on May 16. Pre-order HERE.
“It’s been six years since Far was in print, and over ten years since I visited some of these cities. I’m so excited to revisit all these records and these towns! The vinyl looks so beautiful in their new colors, and I can’t wait for them to get spinning,” Spektor says.
Spektor first saw commercial success with the RIAA Gold-certified LP Begin to Hope (2006). Her breakout album includes hit singles “On the Radio,” “Better” and “Samson,” as well as “Fidelity,” which climbed the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. She followed up Begin to Hope with Far (2009) and What We Saw From The Cheap Seats (2012), both debuting at number three on the Billboard 200 albums chart. The repressing also includes Remember Us To Life (2016),
Spektor’s seventh studio album, and Live in London (2009), her first live album, which features twenty-two songs spanning her extensive catalog at the time and including three unrecorded tracks that have only ever been performed live.
Spektor will return to the road this summer on her Midsummer Daydream Tour, beginning July 22.
The tour includes stops in San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, and two nights in Portland. The tour will also include three stops in Texas, where she hasn’t performed in over a decade. See below for a complete list of dates. General on-sale begins this Friday, April 4 at 10 a.m. local time HERE.
TOUR DATES
July 22—San Francisco, CA—Masonic
July 24—Jacksonville, OR—Britt Pavilion
July 25—Portland, OR—Revolution Hall
July 26—Portland, OR—Revolution Hall
July 28—Seattle, WA—Woodland Park
Zoo Amphitheatre (SOLD OUT)
July 29—Spokane, WA—Martin
Woldson Theatre at The Fox
July 31—Boise, ID—Revolution
Concert House & Event Center
August 1—Sandy, UT—Sandy Amphitheatre
August 3—Denver, CO—Mission Ballroom
August 5—Austin, TX—ACL Moody Theatre
August 6—Dallas, TX—Majestic Theatre
August 8—San Antonio, TX—Tobin Center
August 9—Houston, TX—Bayou Music Center
Last year, Spektor formally released her fan favorite second album, Songs, for the first time. Previously sold exclusively at her live shows on homemade CD-Rs, the remaster saw Songs‘ first commercial release on vinyl and streaming, and was celebrated with a series of sold out shows in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
The fourth annual Ramble Festival, taking place just outside Darlington, MD will kick off on October 10th and is thrilled to unveil the 2025 artist lineup including The California Honeydrops, The Infamous Stringdusters, Cris Jacobs, The Brothers Comatose, The Ramble Band Plays Dead (ft. Cris Jacobs), High Fade, Pappy, TreeSap (Cabinet Trio), and many more. This festival is designed for those seeking more than just a music event—it’s a community festival that embraces creativity and connection.
Held at Camp Ramblewood in Harford County, Maryland, The Ramble takes place on over 200 acres of stunning natural beauty. This festival prides itself on fostering community through shared experiences and a deep love for live music, all set in a breathtaking outdoor environment.
This year, attendees can look forward to an exciting busking program that will bring impromptu performances to every corner of the festival grounds, highlighting emerging talent and fostering a true sense of community. Additionally, the festival will feature second-line parades, bringing the joyous spirit of New Orleans right to the heart of the Ramble. These vibrant, participatory celebrations invite everyone to join in, creating an atmosphere where music and movement are central to the festival experience.
The Ramble is also known for its unique collaborative late-night sets, where artists come together for special performances that can’t be seen anywhere else. These sets are a chance to witness spontaneous collaborations and magic on stage, making the festival feel like one big musical family reunion.
Family-friendly and welcoming to Ramblers young and old, The Ramble Festival is designed to offer something for everyone. Kids 12 and under get in free, and there’s a designated family camping area, ensuring the festival remains a relaxed and accessible environment for families to enjoy. The Kid’s Kove is packed with activities that will introduce younger attendees to the world of music, all while fostering their creativity and connection to the arts.
The Ramble also places a strong emphasis on the visual arts, with an art gallery showcasing local and regional artists, live painting, and interactive workshops. Artists and art lovers alike can immerse themselves in the vibrant visual world of the festival, where creativity flows beyond the music.
A key part of The Ramble experience is the chance to find your tribe and become part of the festival’s welcoming, free-spirited vibe. Whether you’re jamming out with fellow festival-goers or simply enjoying the beauty of the surrounding nature, The Ramble Festival is a space for self-expression and connection. And when it’s time to rest, the festival even offers comfy cabins just a short walk from the stages, making it easy to recharge between sets and keep the energy flowing.
The Ramble Festival has been recognized for its excellence, earning the 2024 Festy Awards for Best Small Festival, Best Family Friendly Festival (tie), and Favorite Festival Food Vendor (Stef’s Cereal Bar). Additional accolades include first runner-up for Best Artist-at-Large (Natalie Brooke) and Best Late-Night Performance (Sneezy Closing Set).
Step back to 1938 and witness the electric chemistry of Django Reinhardt and Stéphane Grappelli in the short film Jazz Hot. Produced by Lew Grade as a bold introduction to the UK, the film captures the Quintette du Hot Club de France in full swing. With its hypnotic violin-guitar interplay, this footage remains one of the earliest visual records of gypsy jazz’s golden era.
Fifty-five years after its debut, Chicago II still sounds like nothing else. Released in 1970, Chicago’s second album brims with confidence and inspiration as it draws on everything from orchestral music to heavy rock. Although it never affected the record’s popularity, it peaked at #4 on the album chart and spawned a trio of Top Ten hits.
CHICAGO II (STEVEN WILSON REMIX) brand new Dolby ATMOS mix, along with stereo, quadrophonic, and 5.1 mixes in high-resolution, will be available on April 25 as a Blu-ray disc exclusively at Rhino.com. Pre-order HERE.
The remixed album will also be released as a 2-LP 140-gram Black vinyl on May 23. Pre-order HERE.
CHICAGO II has been remixed before, but now, for the first time, a Dolby ATMOS of the 16-track album will be revealed. The album previously received stereo, quadrophonic, and 5.1 hi-res mixes from the multi-track tapes, making it possible for Steven Wilson to bring out elements that were muffled or submerged in the mix. This resulted in a version of CHICAGO II that boasts clearness, punch and definition that it didn’t have before.
Wilson explains: “Working with high-resolution 96K/24 bit digitally transferred files, I had every element from the recording sessions isolated, which meant I was able to rebuild the mix from the drums upwards, recreating as closely as I could the equalization, stereo placement, reverbs, other effects, and volume changes of each individual instrument or vocal — but at the same time looking to gain definition and clarity in the overall sound.”
In 1969, Chicago recorded the band’s follow-up to their debut album, Chicago Transit Authority (voted 2014 into the GRAMMY® Hall of Fame). When it arrived in January 1970, Chicago II became an instant sensation. Principal composers James Pankow and Robert Lamm emerged further as the band’s source of Top Ten hits for the group, including “Make Me Smile” and “Colour My World,” as well as “25 or 6 to 4,” which peaked at #4 and has become one of the band’s signature songs. Terry Kath, Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, James Pankow, Walter Parazaider, also Danny Seraphine and Peter Cetera … somehow found time (while touring the world behind the success of “CTA”) to prepare another double LP album.
“So rich was their creative seam at the time that, like their debut, and the album that followed this one, it was a two-record set,” says Wilson. “In fact, with unprecedented boldness, the run of double albums was only broken by their fourth, which was a quadruple (live) set! I consider all of these albums to be classics, but perhaps Chicago II is the pre-eminent masterpiece. It’s got everything: moments of tender beauty to power riffs and scorched-earth jazz-rock, catchy melodies and gorgeous vocal harmonies. When I first heard it as a teenager, I was captivated by the mixture of jazz, blues, pop, classical, progressive and heavy rock styles, including both improvisational elements and intricate arrangements, and by songs written and sung by several different members, all with their own unique personality. How could that possibly hang together?! But it does, and brilliantly so.”
The album, which was certified platinum by the RIAA soon after its release, also highlighted some of the band’s most ambitious work, such as the 13-minute song cycle “Ballet For A Girl In Buchannon,” composed by James Pankow, as well as “Memories Of Love,” a Terry Kath song, arranged for orchestra by Peter Matz.
