Robert Lamm is the singer, keyboard player and songwriter from the legendary band Chicago. Robert has just brought out a solo album that is leaning towards Jazz, though it really is Jazz/Rock. This album is the third solo album to come from Robert which has the late Carl Wilson (Beach Boys), Gerry Beckley (America) and Phoebe Snow as guests. The album has 10 original songs that Robert has written, and the album was produced by John Van Eps.
"Will People Ever Change" starts the album off and it has a slight Chicago/Sting feel to it, it chugs along nicely with a good bass loop, it also has a off-beat feel about it. Carl Wilson and Gerry Beckley join Robert on "Watching The Time Go By", which is a tale of nostalgia, sung in close harmony with Carl and Gerry. I think my favorite song is "Sacha" which has some nice suite guitar from Ross Trout and is a very melodic love song sung superbly by Robert. "Sacha" is a tribute to Robert's 22 year old daughter. Phoebe Snow sings two duets with Robert on "The Best Thing" and "Swept Away," demonstrating her great voice, which seems to go well with Robert Lamm's vocals. "Swept Away" has a luscious swaying rhythmic feel with the vocals seeming to float over the music. "The Love Of My Life" has a Beatles feel to the whole song with Robert sounding at times like Paul McCartney and guitarist Ross Trout managing to play some great Beatlesque riffs. This is the kind of album that will be around for a long time, due to its almost lazy pace, just right for unwinding too!
Mystic Music website: www.mysticmusic.com
Phone: 212-664-9508
Media contact: crwmus@aol.com
This review is copyright © 1999 by Dave Thomas, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
