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

Released:  1980

Recorded at:  Le Studio, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Label:  Street Sense Music/Renaissance Records

Genre:  Melodic Rock

Length:  43:53

Produced by:  Danny Seraphine & David "Hawk" Wolinski for Skidrow Productions

Personnel

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