WHERE HAVE I KNOWN YOU BEFORE

Return To Forever

Jazz Rock/Fusion

4.12 | 292 ratings

From Progarchives.com, the ultimate progressive rock music website

(I will be seeing RTF at the Denver Paramount Theater on June 3, 2008 and was compelled to review the three CDs featuring the classic lineup of Corea, Dimeola, Clark and White).

Where Have I Known You Before was RTF's 1974 release and the first of the Corea, Di Meola, Clark & White lineup.

This historic record features the 19 year old Al Di Meola, a shredding machine with more tone and taste than most guitarists twice his age. An absolutely amazing musician! This would be Al's first recording session of many to come and the dawn of one of THE MOST influential guitarists in the history of music.

The standout tracks on this record are:

Vulcan Worlds: a great composition, perfectly executed and one of the fan favorites from RTF live concerts. It should appeal to anyone interested in progressive and complex music.

Beyond the Seventh Galaxy: one of the most progressive tracks you will ever hear, by any artist or band. Chick's masterful keyboard work is flaunted in spades.

Song to the Pharaoh Kings: sounds like Chick Corea twenty some years later, with his Elektric Band! If you're a Chick connoisseur you will appreciate how some of his phrasing and runs on newer recordings are linked back to this 1974 record.

Even though this record was the start of something great, featuring musicians who were, and still are, virtuosos with very few equals, I have a difficult time giving this one five stars. Its weaker moments, namely Earth Juice, a repetitive five note song that is an excruciating listen, reduces any chances of this record being a masterpiece. For as much as I respect RTF I cannot believe that they couldn't come up with better filler material. A Chick Corea piano improv for three minutes would have been better than Earth Juice.

I highly recommend this record for those that are jazz-rock fans and those curious of what the hype with RTF is all about. FOUR EASY STARS.

wbiphoto | 4/5 | 2008-3-27

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