RETURN TO THE 7TH GALAXY: THE ANTHOLOGY

"Return To The 7th Galaxy: The Anthology" clearly shows the musical width and the groundbreaking force of Return to Forever. The two CD's are filled to the edge with over 148 minutes of music. This is very neccesary, because RtF went through a number of line-up changes, and also changed their musical style several times. This also makes it possible to label it 'The Anthology', because the content it makes it become more than just a 'Greatest Hits Collection'.

The three first cuts on Disc 1 are taken from RtF's debut LP, "Light As A Feather". This album can best be described as a 'Jazz-Samba fusion', and not a 'Jazz-rock fusion'. It features RtF's founding fathers, Chick Corea (keys) and Stanley Clarke (bass), plus Airto Moreira (perc), Joe Farrell (winds), and eminent vocals by Flora Purim. The music is based on traditional jazz-form (head-solos-head), and hard-hitting rhythms by Clake and Moreira. This makes it very fascinating for the jazz-lovers, but perhaps a bit unreachable for traditional prog fans.

Cuts 4-6 shows how RtF changes from latin to rock. Corea and Clacke replaces the original line-up with Bill Connors (guitar), Steve Gadd (drums) and Mingo Lewis (perc). All three cuts are live cuts, and describes a little known part of RtF's history. The arrangements are very tight and strong, and there are only a few real soloes. The collective groove is in focus.

On tracks 7-9, Gadd and Lewis are replaced by Lenny White (perc). His drumming technique is very rock-based, and he can be compared with famous prog drummers. The tune structures are more open than on the previous three tunes, making it easier for solists to unfold.

Disc 2 is the part of the anthology that is most progish. All the tracks are taked from either "Where Have I Known You Before" and "No Mystery", or are live cuts. They feature Al DeMeola on guitar instead of B. Connors. He brings in a much stronger leading guitar voice, and fret-melting solos, but can be criticized for being to pretentious at times. The music is by all means rock-solid prog-fusion, with heavy, tight arrangements, strong progressions, and many beautiful solos. 'The Shadow of Lo', 'Flight of The Newborn' and 'Vulcan Worlds' are good examples. 'Song to The Pharaoh Kings' and 'Celebration Suite' are longer tracks (13 min+), where C. Corea truly shows of his compositional skills.

If this was a jazz-review, this Anthology would have gotten a straight 5 stars. But in a prog manner, I have a two remarks, which makes me end up on a 4. First, only Disc 2 of the album, (and only later days RtF), can be labelled prog. I am certain that prog lovers will find great pleasures in early RtF, but this doesn't justify labelling it prog. Second, there is something missing in this anthology: a tune or two from "Romantic Warrior". This LP is known for being heavily inspired by Yes and ELP, and is the most progressive of all of RtF's albums. I feel say that neither 'The Magician' or 'Duel of The Jester and The Tyrant' made it to the compilation, and this sadly contributes to (only) four stars.

Talking about jazz-rock fusion kind of music, one will definitely include Return To Forever as one of the pioneers and band in the vein of this category. The music of RTF is characterized by piano virtuoso Chick Corea with his dazzling piano and keyboard work. I first enjoyed RTF composition through the song called "The Endless Night" which explored Chick Corea's moog and keyboard virtuosity. In 1971 Chick Corea already a pioneer in the emerging world of fusion-jazz, assembled what-became-an-all-star band Return To Forever. With Stanley Clarke (bass), Lenny White (drums) and Al Di Meola (then was an unknown guitar player).

This box set represents the 25th anniversary of RTF since its first inception and it comprises material from Corea's personal archives amounting to 40 minutes of previously unreleased material. You can enjoy the masterpiece "500 Miles High" (9:07) with great vocal sound of Flora Purim and unique piano / keyboard work by Chick Corea. I saw Chick Corea Electric Band couple of years ago when he played in Singapore and he was really a great keyboard / piano player. I think it was in 1985. Unfortunately it was not RTF but it was a great show.

"Light As A feather" is another interesting track to enjoy, altogether with "Spain" which has become RTF's masterpiece. The music presented here covers the period when the band was initially established with sonic quality of the record not as great as modern recording; but it's really OK musically.

For those who love jazz-rock fusion kind of work and curious about the music of RTF, this anthology might be the best choice. If you enjoy this CD, you should explore further with the band live double album as well as "Music Magic" and "Romantic Warrior". Keep on proggin'.. !

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW

Return To Forever (RTF) had two phases. RTF Phase I consisted of Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Joe Farrell, Flora Purim and Airto Moreira and produced two albums. The self-titled first album seems to be favoured by jazz purists. The second, Light As A Feather, was more widely popular, with songs like Spain being regularly heard on campus radio and played by college jazz bands in the early 1970s. Corea, Clarke, Moreira and Tony Williams also performed with Stan Getz and recorded the Getz album Captain Marvel in 1972. The album consisted of Corea-penned RTF I tunes and should really be considered an RTF I album. The compilation album Return To The Seventh Galaxy contains material from both phases of RTF, with some live material, including a rocked-up live RTF II rendition of Spain.

RTF II began in 1973 with Corea, Clarke, Bill Connors, Steve Gadd and Mingo Lewis, then became a foursome with Lenny White replacing Gadd and Lewis, and later Al DiMeola replacing Connors. RTF II definitely had a heavier jazz-rock sound than RTF I. The Anthology compilation contains the four studio albums recorded by RTF II, so you if want to hear RTF I you'll have to look elsewhere. RTF II was one of the most popular fusion bands of the 1970s, and a listen to The Anthology will show why. The music is inventive, the playing is first rate, and the energy is captivating. Some songs are stronger than others, and fans will have their favourite tunes. One of mine is Corea's Song To The Pharoah Kings, which shows the group's impeccable musicianship, with the song building in intensity until it breaks into a wonderful DiMeola guitar solo. DiMeola also played this song as a solo artist. The Anthology was released to coincide with the RTF II reunion tour, and we can hope for some new material. Fans of RTF II should also check out Clarke and White's Vertu project. Despite the fact that the music is similar to RTF II, Down Beat magazine's reviewer unfairly panned the self-titled Vertu album when it was released in 1999. However, in its August 2008 issue Down Beat has devoted a favourable cover story to the RTF II reunion that's worth a read.

A rather strange series of XXth anniversary edition of RTF (I've seen the same treatment for Herbie Hancock's Mwandishi era) that holds a few surprises and a few disappointments as well. First of all, this compilation only concerns the Polydor albums, meaning that RTF's debut album on ECM and the later two albums on CBS get the cold shoulder treatment. Can one imagine a RTF compilation without tracks from Romantic Warrior? Actually since I think RW is so over-rated, that this omission is half forgiven, as is the ignoring of their last (poor) album, but I don't think the debut album should've gotten ignored. In either case,, this compilation's name gives a clear reference to what I think is their best album.

While the better tracks of LAAF are featured on this compilation, one of the pleasant surprise is to find the superb 14-mins Spain in a live version with an intermediary line-up that had never recorded: it is a different version of the line-up that's featured on the Seventh Galaxy album, with Bill Connors in place, but Mingo Lewis (ex-Santana) on percussions and Steve Gadd on drums. This three-track radio session is the only real "gift" but what a gift it is: not only is the Spain version awesome with its fairly different interpretation, but there is also a completely unknown track getting a release: Bass Folk Song. All three tracks are absolute musts and this previously unavailable line-up smokes. Clarke's bow on his stand-up bass provides a cello-like drama for Spain's introduction, while the previously unavailable Bass Folk Song is an awesome romp through the group's instrumental prowess. Should there one day be a remastering of the Seventh Galaxy album, there is no doubt that these three tracks should belong as bonus tracks.

Three more tracks are taken from the Seventh Galaxy album, which means that only Space Circus is missing from what is clearly the group's crowning achievement. The second disc concentrates on the first two albums with ADM on guitar, the editors just choosing to opt for a live version of Shadows Of Io, so there is little surprise here. The track selection from those two albums is correct and does justice to those albums. As I said above, I have a few reservations about the albums selection process and calling this compilation "thing" an anthology, but then again the tracks chosen give a real good introduction of RTF's works outside the RW album, that owning this "thing" and the RW album could be almost everything you needed, if the debut album had gotten a bit of a sunshine as well.

Despite being a fan of this band, Corea and DiMeola in particular, this is the only Return To Forever CD in my collection to date. Part of it has to do with this being one of the first releases of their music on CD if I'm not mistaken and it is an excellent collection of their music. Plus it isn't titled a "best of". There are also four previously unreleased live tracks.

Just three years of the band and yet four different lineups. Clarke and Corea being the consistent core of the band. The final grouping with Al DiMeola and Lenny White are probably the definitive version of Return. As they transformed from a five piece band to the final four, the music tightened up and became more energetic. Not to say anything bad about the earlier incarnations, but when you think Return To Forever, you think Clarke, Corea, DiMeola, and White first and foremost.

As I always advocate getting whole albums rather than compilations, I regard this as non-essential. Of course die hard fans will want it for the bonus material. And it comes with a nice plastic slipcover.