Chicago (2) – Chicago IX Chicago's Greatest Hits

Glad to hear I'm not the only one to feel this original pressing left something to be desired. It wasn't that there was too much music per side-- about 22 1/2 minutes apiece, just at the limit. But if just didn't have any punch or clarity, almost like it was on CD before CDs existed. Someone told me maybe I caught the tail end of a worn out mother that was used to make the pressing. I guess not. Wonder what went wrong? Such great material!

This album sounds good but not stellar. The same songs sound better on Chicago II and III

My copy matches this description albeit the run off matrix shows P AL 33900 1G followed by a space - 1 and an etched T.

The is mediocre pressing. Hollow sounding. Great track list, but the sound is has no depth.

High frequencies on my Turkish copy Side B are all missing. The disc is a bit curved on that side. Could this be the reason or was it the result of a printing issue? Any ideas?

High frequencies on my Turkish copy Side B are all missing. The disc is a bit curved on that side. Could this be the reason or was it the result of a printing issue? Any ideas?

I have this LP with the same matrix and custom labels with a promo sticker on the front.

An excellent album obviously. My matrix is the same as those above but is on a red columbia label.

I find this album quite weak compared to the albums these songs come from. Maybe its just my copy? A great track list though.

As popular rock groups of the 1970s go, Chicago were one of the most eclectic in terms of their musical style, associating free-form jazz, smooth R&B and subtle prog to configure a stunning sound all of their own. It was a brand that served them well, earning them critical acclaim and success on the jazz component charts. Most casual fans did not grow up with Chicago's original multi-vocal brass-tinged jazz-rock output. For them, it was velvety balladry and soothing soft rock that they closely associated the band with. The signature sound of Chicago, i.e. that of Peter Cetera on lead vocals with a lush backdrop of melodic multi-part harmonies and rich soft rock instrumentation lifting it all into pop territory, was a gradual process that arose from changing internal power dynamics. By their fifth effort, they were more comparable with Emerson, Lake & Palmer than Steely Dan or Blood, Sweat & Tears, and as mid-70s pop started ruling the airwaves and racking up millions of sales, it inevitably rendered radio stations specialising in giving a platform to more diverse, uncategorizable acts more or less obsolete. Chicago wisely opted to move with the times instead forging a singular path.

In 1975, Chicago signalled the end of their progressive phase by releasing a compilation of songs that connected most with the public during their formative years. Having abandoned their ambitious tendencies, the compilation was contrived with the basic tenets of concision, revenue and mass appeal in mind. As anticipated, "Chicago IX Chicago's Greatest Hits" was a smash hit that, by virtue of its superlative song selection, made for a great listen with few deficiencies. Comprising 11 of the band's horn-based prime cuts, the album is of course replete with standouts, namely "25 or 6 to 4," "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?," "Saturday in the Park," "Make Me Smile" and "Wishing You Were Here". For those unaccustomed to their epic and challenging early work, "Chicago IX Chicago's Greatest Hits" is the perfect introduction, though admittedly only halfway complete, which may disfavour those who want the full picture. Owing to the fact that the album era targeted wealthier adult consumers with very particular tastes, abstracting representative tracks that gleaned the qualities of the context from which it was removed invariably fulfilled the needs of those unable or unwilling to build a collection of LPs. And given that Chicago's popularity would continue until at least the late '80s, consolidating their least complex preliminary belters all in one accessible place is primarily why this inaugural anthology remains one of their biggest sellers.

Rating: 4.5/5