Chilliwack - Chilliwack II (1971) (2001)

Generally better known for their late 70's AOR albums, this group was one of the earliest Canadian prog groups since they were directly descending from the 60's group THE COLLECTORS which had released a mind-blowing debut album and an confirming second effort, before changing their name to CHILLIWACK, their hometown's name in British Columbia. Both albums are included in the proto-prog section of the database. As the group had encountered some success in the late 60's (both as an album but also a single's band), the group felt they had to modernize their name, image and contracts. But in the essence the group remained quasi-intact and given the changing of the times, their first album under their new name became a bit looser and less structured. The music became more dreamy and sometimes involving long improvisation (but never becoming a jam band), bordering on the psychedelic prog with Claire Lawrence's saxes and flutes giving loving caresses to your eardrums.

Gradually, as the key members will float away and leave the ship, the sound (which had a distinct west coast touch) shifted more and more towards typical late 70's AOR with a slight country rock touch. The group will end its career in the early 80's in the general indifference after a string of unremarkable (from our point of view) string of albums. The band went on to become Headpins with a huge ard rock sound.