Chicago - Chicago VII

180-gram audiophile vinyl mastered by Friday Music's Joe Reagoso, supervised By Lee Loughnane from original Chicago records tapes!

Double LP in a gatefold jacket

It's been several decades since the rare original vinyl version of Chicago VII has been available...that is until now!

Chicago VII was another huge multiplatinum plus No. 1 smash for Chicago and a stunning return to the double LP format for this brilliant band. Featuring the original award winning line-up of Robert Lamm (lead vocals/keyboards), Peter Cetera (lead vocals/bass), Terry Kath (lead vocals/guitars), the legendary horns of Lee Loughnane (trumpet), Walter Parazaider (saxophone/woodwinds), James Pankow (trombone) plus Danny Seraphine (drums), Chicago VII is undoubtedly one of their biggest selling albums and is also one of the most revered offerings in their huge catalog.

Buoyed by the success of huge hit singles like "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long" and "Call On Me," their seventh album was filled with more smashes like the power driver Robert Lamm smash "Lifesaver," the funk rocker "Woman Don't Want To Love Me" and the Chicago/Beach Boys duet smash hit single "Wishing You Were Here."

The wonderful double LP release also features a fine array of long band workouts on instrumentals which feature each bandmate laying down some serious grooves on tunes like "Hanky Panky," "Aire" and "Prelude To Aire," which of course feature the horn work of the founders Lee Loughnane, Walter Parazaider and James Pankow.

Several of the fine tunes on this well-crafted album also feature the sorely missed vocals and guitar of Terry Kath, where he truly shines on tracks like the progressive jazz rock infused "Song Of The Evergreens" and the stunning Byblos, both of which make this fine album even more of a treasure trove of classic rock enjoyment.

Peter Cetera shines vocally throughout on the LP as well, especially on the hit acoustic ballad sounds of "Happy Man." While being one of the more signature songs from this collection, the tune also was known for its false start making it one of Chicago's more collectable rarities if you were lucky to own the original vinyl version from 1974.