Chicago VII is the sixth studio album by American rock band Chicago, released in 1974. This double album marked a return to their somewhat jazz-influenced roots, providing a diverse mixture of jazz instrumentals, funk, ballads, and pop tracks.
The album features a total of 15 songs, which include band member-composed originals as well as covers of popular hits. Significant tracks include Terry Kath’s “Byblos" and Robert Lamm's "Skinny Boy." The album also contains several hits like "Call on Me" and "(I've Been) Searchin' So Long," which went on to achieve impressive chart success.
Chicago VII reached number one in the Billboard Pop Album Chart and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. However, reviews for the album were mixed at the time of release, with some critics praising the band's evolved sound and others feeling the album was uneven in quality. Nevertheless, the album represents an important era of growth and exploration in Chicago's musical journey.
