Blood, Sweat and Tears-Blood, Sweat & Tears 3 (1970)

Almost two years after their historic and acclaimed second album, the American band Blood, Sweat & Tears recorded their next album, generically titled "Blood, Sweat & Tears 3". While considered one of their best albums, it didn't reach the commercial heights of its predecessor, despite reaching number one on the American and Canadian charts. If the band had previously showcased a solid jazz-rock sound with elements of soul, blues, and classical music, this third release features a style slightly more influenced by rhythm and blues, always under the umbrella of jazz and rock. As before, here too they flood their repertoire with covers adapted to their brass rock style, showcasing Clayton-Thomas's original and powerful voice, Steve Katz's effective guitar work, and the punchy horn section comprised of Dick Halligan, Fred Lipsius, Lew Soloff, Jerry Hyman, and Chuck Winfield, all anchored by the vigorous rhythm section of Bobby Colomby and Jim Fielder. This album contains anthems like "Hi De Ho", a Carole King cover featuring Clayton-Thomas delivering one of his finest performances; the improvised jam "Sympathy For The Devil" by The Rolling Stones; and the dynamic "40,000 Headmen" by Traffic. These, along with their own compositions, "The Battle" and "Lucretia MacEvil", and the magnificent "He's a Runner" (another cover, this time of Laura Nyro), are the highlights of this superb work.