RETURN TO FOREVER

After some heavy fusion albums, Corea returned back to more jazzy staff. RTF line-up was changed back ( almost to RTF-I ), and added brass section. Perfect duo of Flora Purim-Airto Moreira from debut album was changed by drummer Gary Brown and vocalist Gayle Moran.

From very first song you feel like returning back to beautiful Latin fusion of early RTF. But when the song is finished, you undrestand, that it was just an illusion. "Hello Again" will shock you - weak pop-jazz song sounds as it came from old third level american movie. And step by step you hear, that it isn't "Return To Forever" - Gayle Moran is competent singer, but has no magic of Flora Purim. Brass section often plays riffs in a manner of early Chicago. Only Clarke bass line is great there.

In all, album sounds as collection of pop-jazz songs. Even if there are some nice moments, common feeling isn't so good. Should be interesting for Corea/Clarke/RTF collectors mainly.

I am fan of Chick Corea,Stanley Clarke and RTF for years. And I think that this album ( first RTF -II album) isn't masterpiece, as is often stated. Yes, this album is change in direction from RTF -I ( perfect Latin Jazz Fusion unit with Flora Purim on vocals and Airto Moreira on percussion). Yes, there new line up is presented ( almost classic one, just Bill Connors plays guitar, later Al Di Meola will change him for good). Yes ,sound is radically different from two first albums.

There we have one of the most perfect jazz-rock TECHNIQUE DEMONSTRATION in all style history. Rhythm section ( Clarke and White, one of the best rhythm section in fusion ever) are excellent, with fast ,heavy and very complex playing. Corea plays fast as well, often very complex, and missing his style and attraction doing this. Connor on guitar is weakest point - crafted guitarist, he plays very fast,cold and absolutely emotionless solos, filing all the space.

Even old Corea's song "Captain Senor Mouse" sounds there as robotised version, played by music machine. I believe, that in time of release that sound was almost revolutional, but now it sounds as abolute playing technique victory against music. You will hardly remember a simple tune from this album, just dready mix of fast,heavy and cold instrumentation.

For sure, this album has it's value - one of the most technically complex and excelent jazz fusion albums ever. But if you're searching for music - try it in other place. RTF debut album, or some later works are much more interesting and pleasant.

One of greatest fusion band ever in it's golden line-up. All musicians have great after-band solo careers in jazz and fusion. After twenty -something years of silence, they returned back with great world tour. I can say, it possibly greatest fusion band world tour from first decade (almost) of XXI century.

I waited for them coming in the edge of my nerves. One of the best ever fusion band with great history and golden discography is coming after so many years, and what if they will destroy their glory now? Who know, what and how will they play now?

I visit their first live show in Europe in 2008 tour, happily they started their European leg from my hometown. And it was music of highest class, believe me! Concert in a hall of 2+ thousand listeners was sold some days before the date, and when I came for the party, I saw many sad faces searching for the ticket near entrance.

The concert was as great as it only could be possible, and now, listening to it in recorded version ( ok, with small differences in track listings), I realize, that in fact it's their audio monument.

Album ( as well as concert) contains their best and most popular songs from 1974 till the last album ( second, "guitar",line-up). All musicians are in great form, they are playing well known music with their maturity and using all experience they got during these 20+ yrs gone.

Don't expect too big differences from originals or too much changed sound. Corea,DiMeola,Clarke and White play not too far from originals, but with very excellent technigue. Main difference is in longer solos and plenty of small nuances.

Record ( and concert) track list is very good, and album is very representative in compositions and musicianship level as well.

I can strongly recommend it to anyone, who are interested in one of the greates fusion band ever: for newcomers it will represent grest collection of RTF songs in perfect live musicianship, for old fans it is just must have releaseof the highest level and real musicial monument for their beloved band

Where have I heard this before?

Nowhere actually, this album is one of a kind. Not sure why it has fewer ratings/reviews than Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy, Romantic Warrior and even than their debut(!), but this album, nonetheless, is Return to Forever's peak compositonally speaking, while as musicians they would get more techincal on the famous Romantic Warrior. This album, however, definitely surpasses Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy's standards.

Where Have I Known You Before is the first album with guitar-maestro Al Di Meola, while still very young(19 years-old!) in which he doesn't show his finest capabilities without showing his ground-breaking shredding style as he would do in Romantic Warrior, he still showcases great textures and solos to the band, something Bill Connors didn't manage that well. Besides that addition, Chick Corea adds to his keyboard-set the so-famed synthesizers RtF is well-known of, and in what a classy and professional way he manages them just for the first time! The rhythm section was getting better with each album, that is Stanley with his funky and resonant bass lines and Lenny with his energetic drumming.

The album starts-off with typical RtF style of composition, Vulcan Words, that is showcasing unstoppable drumming and constant bass thrilling your ears plus the new additions of Corea's synth in a splendid melodic solo, then Al with a gratifying solo and finally Stanley shining even more.

This follows by Where Have I Loved You Before, a jazz piece only meant for the one and only Chick Corea in his magical piano. Chick Corea demonstrates his most sincere and delightful piano touches, something that made him a well-recognised 'piano'(and 'Jazz') player.

That lovely piece soon ends and what actually it did was make a excellent passage to the eternal love that The Shadow of Lo always gives to me with it's inital keyboard notes. However that emotion this song gives me lasts for the first half of the song, the second half is a totally different story, it returns to the speedy fusion style of the opener with the fast paced synths and rhythm, every now and then adding some really funky substance where Meola adds a brilliant guitar solo.

The album returns to the solo piano section that Where Have I Loved You Before presented, this time with Where Have I Danced With You Before which presents a more robust feel compared to the former but still maintaining it's delightness, like many of Corea's solo piano pieces.

The pace of the album returns to it's brisk jazzy form with Beyond the Seventh Galaxy, while definitely short in length compared to the two previous jazz fusion songs, this one is still capable of showing their abilities as musicians and composers.

Continuing with the short fusion songs comes up Earth Juice, this one being the only one that can be considered rather repetitive and not on par to the rest of the songs, with it's constant simple drumming, Al and Chick add some few variations which are far from being either really exciting or creative, which in the end it doesn't keep the listener's attention for long. Fortunately it's short and doesn't damage much the album's flow.

Approaching to the end we got the last of Corea's solo piano tunes, Where Have I Known You Before, indeed the most beautiful and delicate of the three of them.

The final song is ''the'' Return to Forever epic song, Song to the Pharoah Kings, opening in such a refined way with the synths and subtle organ, you really can't predict what comes next. After two minutes of elegance the track really starts to take shape, after a semi-dissonant and chaotic passage, it then all evolves into a ingenious and polished track full of exciting and creative keyboards, a really pulverizing guitar solo in the middle, and all this within a stupendous rhythm section.

Where Have I Known You Before is essentially Return to Forever's magnum opus in the creative and composition side, it's even emotive and joyful in many aspects unlike the soul-less Romantic Warrior with it's mind-blowing complexity. This is the album that Return to Forever should be known of, it simply has it all what made Return to Forever one of the classic Jazz Fusion bands alongside Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra back in the 70's.

Essential Jazz Rock album.

Second RTF album ( formally first, because "Return To Forever" album was released as Chick Corea solo album, not RTF debut). The music is classic strongly jazz influenced Latin fusion of RTF of early period. Classic line up, where Corea colaborates with great bass player Stanley Clarke and top-level Latin jazz/fusion pair Flora Purim (voc.) and her husband Airto Moreira (perc.,dr.). No guitars are added, just some sax solos.

Basic album sound is Corea's light vibrating Rhodes keyboard, with rich Brasilian voice of Flora Purim and Latin percussion. All music is light, melodic, with strong Latin atmosphere.

As debut album, second one is strongly different from later RTF guitar oriented heavier works. There you feel light, sun, sea breeze in all compositions. "Spain" is absolutely golden classic for years, "Captain Marvel " as well.

For RTF earlier ( Latin-jazz) period I prefer debut album, but the second one is almost as good as the first one. Don't expect to find here compositions of Al Di Meola/Corea/Clarke/White line - up, music there is different. But if you like earlier Corea's jazzy albums, his Latin-fusion works and Flora Purim voice - it's a excellent example here.

The beginning of Return to Forever's Jazz Rock Hymn

Return to Forever now featuring a guitarist and getting ''rid'' of the saxophone player, can fully develop the Jazz Rock style they're so well known for. However, this is not Al Di Meola on the guitar duties, it's Bill Connors who technically is a great jazz guitar player, unfortunately on this album his guitar sound is somewhat diluted and by no means it is sparking as Al Di Meola's guitar sound on future RtF albums. Also bare in mind that Chick Corea is still missing his set of synths on his keyboard deck, so this is not exactly the same Jazz Rock style they'll follow with Al Di Meola on board, Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy still features that focus on the electric piano as the 2 previous releases had, this time with a guitar and in a more adventurous way than both previous releases.

What did Return to Forever make with this album? Well they definitely progressed from their monotonic, though enjoyable, previous album(Light as a Feather) which featured a Latin Jazz style all through, Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy absolutely shows a Jazz Rock band with a lot of potential, but still needs a better showcase and development of that potential, which fortunately they would do with future releases.

3 stars in which means it is definitely a big step over Light at as Feather, though still not a very high standard of Jazz Rock music compared to the releases with Al Di Meola on board. Recommended after having listened to Romantic Warrior and Where Have I Known You Before.

Really ironic-- the five that you can sample are mediocre. But let me tell you about the other four! "No Mystery" features piano and guitar in a delightful flow of soft yet brisk music. I can close my eyes and imagine myself in forests or mountains somewhere. "Interplay", featuring piano and bass, goes in spits and spurts, melodic twists and turns, and key changes, yet it really flows! "Celebration Suite--Part 1" opens with a nice drum solo followed by organ, which dominates the piece. After a good opening, it wanders a bit in the middle, but 2 minutes or so from the end it starts building toward a climax that is worth the wait. I won't describe this ending other than to say it may be the most powerful and dramatic ending I have ever heard. "Celebration Suite-Part 2" is fusion at its most dramatic, high energy. The piece also has a great crescendo at the end. In summary, don't believe what you hear in the samples. The best is yet to be heard!

8/10.. that means 4 stars here.

Still not a Jazz ROCK outfit...

Light as a Feather continues the smooth jazz their debut had brought, however this is not any smooth jazz, this is with Chick Corea's magical electric piano, latin-influenced vocalist Flora Purim, engaging saxophonist Joe Farrell, the tremendous bass from Stanley Clarke and the effective percussion from Airto Moreira, all making a sweet jazz record with some twists here and there, adding those Latin-roots everyone talks about.

The opener, You're Everything, already traps you with Corea's charming keyboards and Flora's delightful vocals, all soon to transform into a very engaging and elegant Latin style.

The title track follows the smooth mood and Latin-esque style the opener presented, however Chick Corea let's his virtuosity on the keys set-free this time and delivers some really fantastic stuff all within that pleasant rhythm section heard before on the previous song. Joe Farell also has the chance to shine with a enthralling saxophone solo, while Stanley later delivers a typical jazzy bass solo.

Captain Marvel moves the album into a faster pace full of rapid flute evoking a lot of energy to the listener as to maintain you awake, as well as some speed-up keyboard runs.

500 Miles High overall shares a lot with the title track due to the mellowness with the exception of the middle instrumental part which is more reminiscent of Captain Marvel's rapid pace and energy delivery.

Children's Song returns to the tranquility of the opener, but even more so. It's 3 minutes of instrumental peacefulness, as a song is not that interesting, but it works well as a preparation for the last song, which is a classic.

Spain, well it's a classic you should already know about, develops further the strong Latin roots from Captain Marvel and in here Chick Corea truly adds some magnificent spins, even more so engaging than the rest of the songs from this album. Incredible Latin Jazz composition.

Finally as a conclusion I'll just say that it's a pleasant smooth Jazz album (not referring to the 'genre'). At first it may seem wonderful because it's Latin-flavour and the lovely tranquil mood, but as far as the compositions go you'll find them in the end pretty monotone and not much to distinguish from each other, even if they're all greatly played. Because of this it doesn't deserve more than 2 stars. Still enjoyable, and recommended for those who like some tranquil Jazz to go along with. However, for Jazz Rock/Fusion fans the albums containing either Bill Connors or Al Di Meola are far more recommendable due to the actual presence of 'rock' elements and because it's definitely what makes them belong in here in a Progressive Rock site.

4.5 stars. This is what Jazz Rock Fusion should be! Bring 4 great musicians together and let them have some fun. I can replay the album 3 times in a row and not get bored. The guitar playing from Al Di Meola is brilliant in places. Chick Corea adds interesting keyboards throughout, and the bass playing by Stanley Clarke is continually excellent. The drums never really stand out for me, but that is OK, they are well done, just not really featured. I am having trouble deciding if this album qualifies as a masterpiece or not. It is one of my fave fusion albums for sure, so 5 stars it s I guess.

— First review of this album —

RTF has aways been very important to me as I like the music (very much!) since I heard 'The Endless Night' for the first time in 1977. It blew me away due to its excellent melody, vocal line (Gayle Moran), and unique keyboard / moog solo. This live album is an example on how great the music and the musicians are. The copy i have right now is only a cassette that I purchased in December 30, 1981. By the time I had already been familiar with studio albums of the band and I really enjoyed this live set since the first time I spun the cassette. As a fan of RTF I feel obliged to write a review on this because I am surprised that now one has written it. If you love jazz rock fusion, I assure you like this live performance. (In reviewing this live set, I replay the cassette and I find joy listening to it as it represents the old days when I only had cassettes, no CD).

As a matter of background, RTF had released 7 studio albums with some changes in line-up and two founding members still remain: Chick Corea (keyboard) and Stanley Clarke (bass). Music critics claim that the best lineup was when Lenny White (drums) and Al Di Meola (guitar) joined the band as a quartet. As far as musical taste, I enjoy all of the 7 studio albums as they are predominantly Chick Corea style. Their last studio album Music Magic' (1977) was a big-band line-up with brass section; a dramatic change from previous quartet line-up with Chick-Al-Stanley-Lenny. Lenny White and Al Di Meola were no longer with the band in the last album.

Great improvisations

'So Long Mickey Mouse' is a great example of how the jazz rock fusion music composition played excellently with improvisations on keyboard / mini-moog, bass guitar and flute. Eventhough it sounds complex and relatively moves in fast tempo with high octane energy, the harmonies resulted from each instruments including brass section sounds terrific from start to end. Gayle Moran plays her role nicely as singer with no lyrics but sings choir like 'aaaa...aaaa...aaa' that gives nice texture of the whole track, performed live. Chick plays his inventive keyboard work beautifully, combined with Joe Farrel's flute / piccolo work and dynamic bass playing by Stanley. Garry Brown who sits on drum stool replacing Lenny White is a great drummer as he can provide nice fills between segments.

'The Musician' is basically a tune to demonstrate the masteries of brass section musicians as each individual player is given a chance to perform solo. As I was a trombone player when I joined Marching Band Waditra Ganesha ITB in 1980, I paid particular attention on trombone solos by Jim Pugh (lead tenor), Harold Garret (bass trombone), and Ron Moss (tenor trombone). They all play great! The music itsefl is very energetic, run in relatively fast tempo with excellent groove throughout the track.

I also enjoy Chick's Piano Solo as it is very inventive, dynamic and skillful. He is the best piano player in jazz! In 'Music Magic' the brass section is given a chance to demonstrate their skills in energetic way. 'The Moorish Warrior and The Spanish Princes' is like a big band orchestra, playing in a bit mellow style with nice ambient. Gayle Moran sings nicely on 'Come Rain or Come Shine' with his husband, Chick Corea, plays wonderful notes on his piano.

My favorite track is 'The Endless Night' which is performed wonderfully in an extended version (compared to studio album 'Music magic') featuring improvisations by each player. Unfortunately the long intro on Chick's keyboard is ommitted on this record but the overall musical performance sounds terrific to my ears. I really enjoy it, especially on Chick's solo, Stanley bass playing and Gayle - Stanley duo singing. Oh man ... I know that i am more symphonic prog than jazz, but this album is totally great! I am so satisfied listening to this album in its entirety! Keep on proggin'...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW