DREAMS

While the performances are excellent, it's the songs themselves that leave this listener wanting. All the songs were written by either bassist Doug Lubahn or keyboardist/guitarist Jeff Kent. The arrangements are all very loose. I would say too loose. I think some written horn arrangements would have added power to all of the pieces.

Still, this album is a pleasant work of vocal based jazz fusion. A treat for fans of the genre.

Musically trying to develop same direction as on their debut, band made similar mistake, as their much more popular colleagues - instead of brass jazz improvs around basic rock sound, they softened and rounded their music, as result they sound as Chicago from mid 70-s. Brass- pop-rock.

Nothing strange band was disbanded soon after release and all musicians went their own ways. Far not such interesting, as their debut. Mostly collectors item.

Having similar musical formula ( blues-rock based band added horn section), their music was different from both genre leaders. They never melted both genres deep enough, so listener all the time can easily hear where rock band play their rock, and where brass section play jazzy improvs. Differently from Chicago, their jazz side was really much more free and improvisational. So it is a real pleasure to listen these not very structurized jazzy horn pieces.

Another important moment - Dreams became starting ground for many future great jazz fusion musicians as Brecker Brothers, Billy Cobham and John Abercrombie (all of them participated on this debut album).

Even if their music sounds a bit dated now, this work is really interesting for everyone with interest to early brass jazz-rock. If you like early Chicago and Blood Sweat and Tears albums, this Dreams debut is for you!

Three and half rounded to 4.