Journey

The self-titled Journey is an ambitious debut that boldly crosses jazz-rock and a progressive sense, before heading toward the later arena-rock style centered on big choruses. Made by members who split from Santana, Neal Schon’s fluid guitar and Gregg Rolie’s richly flavored keyboards and vocals value the “conversation” of the playing itself over short, memorable hooks, creating a soaring, open space in the songs. From the grand development of the opener “Of a Lifetime” to cuts like “Kohoutek,” “To Play Some Music,” “Mystery Mountain” and “Topaz,” the songs are run through by a high-level, technical playing orientation wholly different from the later smash direction. Content strongly showing the fusion-like improvisation and sure playing the band held at the time. A record letting you carefully savor early Journey’s own experimental, exploratory appeal, greatly different from the later worldwide success with Steve Perry. If you expect hits, the impression may differ, but their origin as an outstanding playing band is clearly inscribed here. An intriguing debut for knowing the band’s surprising starting point.