Chalis - One Small Chance 1975

Another 70's US oddity, this time from Minnesota. Chalis' main songwriters were L. Jacobson, S. Germaine, and M. Robinson, their sole effort was released in 1974/75 on the obscure Ellen Abby label, apparently a private one. The music is far from consistent and heading to nowhere, but the material is decent enough as a whole. A mix of Pop, Folk, Psych, and Symphonic Rock, recalling the accessible tunes of Ambrosia and the softer side of Yes. Very good keyboard layers, some interesting guitar parts, and even some flute on rare occasions, never becoming excessive or complex, but moving along a secure path of tight songwriting with sentimental vocals. However, the bulk is built around cheesy multi-vocal harmonies, playful piano, acoustic guitar, and a generally quite pedestrian atmosphere, where striking tunes were more important than the music itself. And they are not so striking at the very end, many bands had built their career on better tunes. Still, there is a huge instrumental background for an amateur group with synths, organ, acoustic/electric piano, flute, and so on to keep things interesting all the way. 

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