Dakota - Dakota (1980)

This US melodic rock outfit was formed in Chicago, Illinois, in 1979 by vocalists/guitarists Jerry Hludzik and Billy Kelly. Recruiting Lou Crossa and Jeff Mitchell on keyboards, Bill McMale (bass) and John Robinson (drums), they based their style on the music of Styx, Toto and Kansas.  Heavily dominated by keyboards and watertight vocal harmonies, the band released two high-quality studio albums of pomp rock, before disbanding in 1984. 
Dakota´s debut album is a real overlooked gem that references both the smoothness of their close friends in the band chicago and the intricacy of classics 70s pomp rock.
Like all great creations, there´s a fine back story to how this album came to fruition, involving a lot of hard work and a great deal of networking. A great contrast between mid-tempo verses and flowing up-tempo harmonised and melodic chorus songs, compared to bands like, Survivor, Le Roux, 38 Special and Journey.

Track listing

01.  "If It Takes All Night"  (Bill Kelly & Jerry G. Hludzik)  - 4:50
02.  "Crazy For Your Love"  (Bill Kelly & Jerry G. Hludzik)  - 3:37
03.  "Possession"  (Bill Kelly & Jerry G. Hludzik)  - 3:55
04.  "You Can't Live Without It"  (Bill Kelly & Jerry G. Hludzik)  - 3:35
05.  "One Step"  (Bill Kelly)  - 4:40
06.  "Lady"  (Bill Kelly & Jerry G. Hludzik)  - 3:28
07.  "Restless"  (Jerry G. Hludzik)  - 4:30
08.  "Crazy Love"  (Jeff Mitchell & Bill Lombardi)  - 4:11
09.  "It Gets Easier"  (Bill Kelly & Jerry G. Hludzik)  - 4:06

Bonus Tracks 2012 Re-issue
10.  The Higher You Rise  (David Bluefield)  - 3:37
11.  Give Love Another Try  (Chuck Yarmey, Jerry G. Hludzik & Jimmy Harnen)  - 3:24

Credits
Bill Kelly - Guitar & Lead vocals
Jerry G. Hludzik - Guitar, Lead vocals
Lou Cossa - Keyboards, Background vocals
Jeff Mitchell - Keyboards, Background vocals
Bill McHale - Bass Guitar, Background vocals
John "JR" Robinson - Drums
Producer(s) - Danny Seraphine & David "Hawk" Wolinski for Skidrow Productions

Notes
Recorded at:  Le Studio, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Genre:  Melodic Rock
Length:  43:53
Label:  Street Sense Music/Renaissance Records

© 1980