BLOOD, SWEAT & TEARS

One of the most important and revolutionary albums of the late 60´s. A very insteresting, and quite a novelty back then, mix of jazz, rock, soul, blues, even classical music put together in one great single record that deserverly became a huge seller at the time. Unfortunatly it is almost forgotten today, which I think is really criminal. I only had the chance to listen to it as a whole in the last few weeks and I loved it. Of course I had heard Spinning Whell and You Make Me So Very Happy on the radio. Those giant hits were quite well played in Brazil during the years and the latter is still being played on those classic rock stations. But Blood Sweat & Tears second album is much more than those two.

I´m not a big fan of jazz rock or brass driven bands like this, but you have to be deaf not to see their talent and skill. Most important,. they play SONGS and play it greatly. Well, with one exception, the group´s 11 minute jam Blues-Part II. Typical of the period, but still interesting anyway. I loved their versatily of tackiling so many different styles and doing that so well. the cover of Traffic Smiling Phases is absolutely awesome! The slow ballad Sometimes In Winter is another good surprise. Amazingly is very well sung, even though is the only track that is nor perfomed by the great David Thomas Clayton. Guitarrist David Kats does a fine job here (granted: the tune is not too demanding, but his voice here is warm and convincing). More And More is also a highlight. The only flaw I saw here was an overlong and not very good version of Billie Holliday´s classic God Bless The Child, but that´s just my personal taste.

After just a few spins I was completely taken by this CD. The combination of the band´s instrumental prowness. creative arrangements and Clayton´s terrific, soulful delivering was a rare breed indeed. I don´t know if the following albums were that good (probably not), but this one is a masterpiece in its genre, whatever it is. As a prog site goes I wouldn´t go as far as giving it five stars. Still, an essential addition to any prog rock music collection for its boldness. greatness and groundbreaking status.