(jazz-rock, brass-rock) Chicago - Chicago 16 (Expanded & Remastered, 2006) - 1982, FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Although they had a moderate hit with 1978's Hot Streets, for all intents and purposes Chicago had been adrift since the tragic death of Terry Kath in January of 1978. Chicago 16 is where the band finally righted itself, in no small part due to the addition of guitarist/keyboardist Bill Champlin, the namesake of the '60s San Franciscan psychedelic outfit the Sons of Champlin, who in addition to joining the band brought into the circle the producer who would change Chicago's commercial fortunes: David Foster. The Canadian producer had worked with Champlin on a solo album, Runaway, which made a very small ripple on the Billboard charts upon its 1981 release, but did pave the way for the sound that Chicago developed on 16. Under the direction of Foster, Chicago turned away from any lingering jazz-rock roots they had, and they also backed away from the disco aspirations that sank their turn-of-the-decade platters. Instead, they pursued a glistening modern pop sound, anchored with dramatic drums, built on synthesizers, decked out in arena rock guitars, layered with harmonies, and stripped of any excesses -- which by and large included Chicago's famed horn section, which was now used for punctuation instead of functioning as the center of the group's sound. This was no-nonsense, all-business, crisp and clean pop for the Reagan era, and it not only became a smash hit for Chicago -- reaching the Top Ten, thanks to the singles "Hard to Say I'm Sorry" and "Love Me Tomorrow" -- it defined Foster's sound, which in turned defined adult contemporary for the '80s. It may not have been too faithful to Chicago, at least what the band was in the '70s, but amidst '80s adult pop, it's a high watermark -- and a lot punchier and tougher than the singles would suggest, too, since almost all of the album tracks are relatively high energy and soulful. And since this finds Foster hitting his groove as a producer, 16 is always a pleasure to listen to even when the songs themselves tend toward the forgettable. Again, it's not necessarily an album for fans of Chicago the musicians, but those who love Foster the producer and the two singles on 16, this record is an entertaining period piece. [Rhino's 2006 reissue of 16 is remastered and contains one bonus track in "Daddy's Favorite Fool," a previously unissued -- and pretty good -- demo by Champlin.]

2707678500 36938204 01 - What You're Missing.wav
510600605 43714316 02 - Waiting For You To Decide.wav
2719780592 31509788 03 - Bad Advice.wav
539885861 36037388 04 - Chains.wav
1688805334 53764412 05 - Hard To Say I'm Sorry, Get Away.wav
1852865752 51899276 06 - Follow Me.wav
4156494425 42613580 07 - Sonny Think Twice.wav
3342888494 40327436 08 - What Can I Say.wav
1925117677 42053804 09 - Rescue You.wav
557293504 53294012 10 - Love Me Tomorrow.wav
3793293549 40967180 11 - Daddy's Favorite Fool.wav

auCDtect: CD records authenticity detector, version 0.8.2
Copyright (c) 2004 Oleg Berngardt. All rights reserved.
Copyright (c) 2004 Alexander Djourik. All rights reserved.
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Processing file: [01 - What You're Missing.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [02 - Waiting For You To Decide.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [03 - Bad Advice.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [04 - Chains.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 99%

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Processing file: [05 - Hard To Say I'm Sorry, Get Away.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [06 - Follow Me.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [07 - Sonny Think Twice.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [08 - What Can I Say.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [09 - Rescue You.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 99%

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Processing file: [10 - Love Me Tomorrow.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Processing file: [11 - Daddy's Favorite Fool.wav]

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This track looks like CDDA with probability 100%

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Final Conclusion:
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These tracks looks like CDDA with probability 100%