Rastus was an American band formed in the late 60s noted for being in the first wave of rock bands to incorporate a horn section. Like Blood Sweat and Tears and Chicago (Transit Authority), also had a lot of bands heavily inspired by them and Rastus took strongly from the former with a touch from the latter. I believe Steamin’ is the band's third and last album and the only one to make it to CD so far (like Chicago Transit Authority, the debut self-titled Rastus was a double).
Rastus had a horn section and a similar mix of rock, blues, and jazz, although it seems like their most commercial songs end up as bonus tracks here. The band's nice and tight and the vocals are solid.
by Mike McLatchey, 2018-09-13
Tracks
1. Lucy Bluebird (Bobby Jameson, Dave Myles, Marc Spirou, Don Nagy, Mike Geraci, Vic Walkus, John Taylor, Dave Smelko) - 6:11
2. Lazy Kind Of Day - 3:24
3. Big City Letdown Blues (John Rhys, Bobby Jameson) - 6:46
4. Love You (Tony Corrao, Dave Myles, Marc Spirou, Don Nagy, Mike Geraci, Vic Walkus, John Taylor, Dave Smelko) - 4:24
5. Keep On Pushin' (Tony Corrao, Dave Myles, Marc Spirou, Don Nagy, Mike Geraci, Vic Walkus, John Taylor, Dave Smelko) - 3:03
6. I-94 Riff (John Rhys) - 5:18
7. What Will It Take (Tony Corrao, Dave Myles, Marc Spirou, Don Nagy, Mike Geraci, Vic Walkus, John Taylor, Dave Smelko) - 5:30
8. Trying To Find Her - 3:04
9. She Don't Need Me - 2:42
10.Warm (John Rhys) - 3:52
11.What If I Should Say - 3:00
12.Home Town Blues - 4:07
13.Over The Rainbow (Jim Cantale, Vic Walkus) - 3:03
14.Road Rat (Mark Allen, Dave Myles, Marc Spirou, Don Nagy, Mike Geraci, Vic Walkus, John Taylor, Dave Smelko) - 6:58
All songs by Dave Myles, Marc Spirou, Don Nagy, Mike Geraci, Vic Walkus, John Taylor, Dave Smelko except where indicated
Rastus
*Dave Myles - Keyboards, Vocals
*Marc Spirou - Trumpet, Valve Trombone, Congas, Vocals
*Don Nagy - Bass
*Mike «The Frist» Geraci - Baritone, Tenor Saxophones, Backing Vocals
*Vic Walkus - Alto, Tenor Saxophone
*John Taylor - Trombone
*Dave «Smokey» Smelko - Percussion, Backing Vocals
*George Sopuch - Guitar