RETURN TO THE 7TH GALAXY: THE ANTHOLOGY

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

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.