Been listening to the music of Chicago lately. Chicago isn't Boomer music, as young people like to claim. The music of Chicago is timeless. We're still listening to them 60 years later. The group transcends generations. It's amazing how their songs -- Saturday in the Park, If You Leave Me Now, Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is, 25 or 6 to 4 -- have become so much of our daily lives that we don't even notice their complexity anymore. As the quote goes, "Genius is making the complicated seem simple." That's really descriptive of Chicago, including the horn section. Many people think their songs are simple until they dig deeper.
As a former trumpet player, I love how they pushed boundaries. They remain the definitive rock band with a horn section. They had a killer blend of jazz/rock, R&B, pop, soul, blues, and even a bit of funk. Every instrument is perfectly balanced, which is impressive given how much is going on in their music. The mix allows the guitar, bass, drums, keyboard, and brass each to have their own space without ever stepping on each other's toes. The harmonies are gorgeously crafted, while the horn section cuts through in just the right way. I especially love their early albums, from Chicago Transit Authority to Chicago VII.
In case you need a refresher in Chicago greatness, here's a video of them performing their hit Feeling Stronger Every Day.