California Transit Authority Full Circle
by Mike Debbage
Guest Writer
For many of you the music band Chicago may bring back memories of the soft hit ballads created by producer David Foster, Peter Cetera and company. However, the very early years of Chicago under the name the Chicago Transit Authority was far more progressive driven which included the rhythmic talents of drummer Danny Seraphine. Well the latter is the musical foundation of the band CTA (California Transit Authority) as a result of the determined ambitions of Danny’s collaboration with producer guitarist Marc Bonilla. And the results are a profound combination of reminiscing set to an updated technological transformation of Chicago’s early years along with appropriately picked cover songs to match the theme.
The album jumps out of the starting blocks with the pounding revolutionary rendition of a Chuck Mangione song “Something Different” that features Bonilla’s amazing guitar work compounded with Seraphine’s drumming. Nor does it hurt to have the horn sounding keyboards of Peter Fish complimented by Ed Roth. For those of you that loved the Chicago horn section have no fear as Seraphine and Bonilla were also wise to bring in Brandon Fields on tenor sax, Lee Thornburg on trumpet and Nick Lane on trombone on several other magical moments throughout the disc. The most distinct moment can be found on “Make Me Smile” where Bonilla, Seraphine and the horns simply hit a home run with their instrumental rendition of James Pankow’s composition. Similar outstanding results can be found on the loose and funky “I’m A Man” that also features Shelia E and Alex Acuna on percussion and even Keith Emerson on the Hammond B-3 organ. Parallels with Santana are unavoidable though once again the horn section helps the song retain that Windy City feel.
For something completely different check out the exquisite atmospheric guitar work of Bonilla on the opening two and half minutes of “Colour My World”. Equal to the task is the soulful vocal rendition of Larry Braggs. Speaking of Braggs, he is up front and center on the powerful Gregg Allman song “Dreams” with Peter Fish’s synth brass and Hammond B-3 solo only adding to the significant R&B element.
Apparently this is not a one off project as the band are working on newly written compositions that are expected to fit with the spirit of the Chicago Transit Authority and the early progressive years of Chicago. The compelling Bonilla written “Antonio’s Love Jungle” found here suggests that the band’s follow up effort could be just as persuasive and adventurous as Full Circle.
Track Listing:
1. Something Different
2. Introduction
3. South California Purples
4. Make Me Smile
5. Several Thousands
6. Dreams
7. West Virginia Fantasies
8. Color My World
9. Happy Cause I’m Going Home
10. Mississippi Delta Blues
11. Antonio’s Love Jungle
12. I’m A Man
13. 25 or 6 to 4
HRH Rating: 8/10
Need to have this message sent to Mr. Danny Seraphine of CTA (California Transit Authority)& Author of Street Player-My Chicago Story.
Danny, I thank you for your mention of my name in your book & wish to return the favor by introducing you to “GinaMarie”, the next SUPERSTAR, women vocalists that you need to hear only once. Do yourself & CTA a favor & let me send you some of her music. Please take my word for it for old time sakes, you need to hear her.
Ken Gorski(Placy & The Club men, rythem guitarist).