Return to Forever (dance, funk, jazz, pop, rock)

lucifer_sam · 11-09-2008, 12:13 AM

Arguably one of the greatest supergroups in jazz history, the Chick Corea-fronted band has a few great albums under their sleeves. Return to Forever is extremely accessible yet maintains an incredible level of virtuosity associated with musicians in their genre. They never achieved critical acclaim like Mahavishnu Orchestra or Weather Report, but nevertheless represent an enormous contribution to jazz fusion. Active from 1971 to 1977, they've got a few gems tucked away:

Hymns of the Seventh Galaxy (1973)
Where Have I Known You Before (1974)
Romantic Warrior (1976)

A brief scan of the YouTub of music yielded me this:

And some great news a la Wiki:

Quote:

Return to Forever reunited for a tour of the United States starting in summer 2008, and Europe in 2009. A special Return to Forever anthology set, featuring remixed and remastered tracks from the albums Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy, Where Have I Known You Before, No Mystery, and Romantic Warrior, was be released to coincide with the tour.

The 2008 lineup includes all members of the classic lineup (from 1974 to 1976). I'm veeeeery excited to see what emerges as a result.

Even if you're not into jazz fusion, I strongly suggest checking this band out. Any interested parties are welcome to PM me for "further information."

Seltzer · 11-09-2008, 09:13 AM

I enjoy Romantic Warrior - it strikes a nice balance between prog, jazz and rock. And the lineup is unreal.

Chick Corea came to NZ last year (10 days after Herbie Hancock) and he's coming again in a few months. But Kraftwerk and Stereolab are performing before then so I doubt I'll have any money by that point.

khfreek · 11-17-2008, 08:53 PM

Told you I'd pop in. Great video, they certainly are great musicians. I'm going to pick up Romantic Warrior then, based on Seltzer's short review there, and if I like it I'll go from there.

jackhammer · 11-22-2008, 07:18 PM

Hmmm. Not sure. A PM may help me a little more

Demonoid · 11-23-2008, 01:33 AM

I'm still waiting for the PM

.

lucifer_sam · 11-23-2008, 04:53 PM

PM sent. Enjoy.

Comus · 11-25-2008, 12:37 PM

I would also like some further information

Demonoid · 11-26-2008, 10:31 PM

I just listened to this.

Damn, that's some awesome technical skills shown there. I think Jazz-fusion is the only area where one can show their technical skills and still have good music to go along with it. Anyways, from what I listened to -

The opening track, Medieval Overture gave an hint of what's to come, although parts of it didn't work all that well. The Sorceress is damn funky and groovy and my second favorite from the album. Has some great piano work in the middle as well. The title track is definitely my favorite

. All the musicians did their part here and the track went along perfectly. Majestic Dance is a bit more strait forward and didn't impress me as much as the rest. A good tune though nonetheless and has Al Di Meola written all over it with his typical guitar shredding. The Magician was kinda weird and I'm not sure whether I liked it not. Need to listen to it another time. That goofy part at around 3 - minutes odd was especially weird

. Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant was another highlight here. Definitely one of the best, and as good as the title track.

So, overall, I'm definitely impressed, but I don't think the album is perfect. Both Majestic Dance & The Magician could have been a bit better though.

Kendall2000 · 12-02-2008, 09:26 PM

I saw them preform in June on there world tour in Indianapolis, and i must say they are incredible.....I love Stanly

Anteater · 12-19-2008, 11:52 PM

Interesting group here; from what snippets I've gone through on YouTube, I concuded that I definitely need to obtain one or two of their albums post-haste!!

11-09-2008, 09:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Seltzer Fish in the percolator! Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Hobbit Land NZ Posts: 2,870	I enjoy Romantic Warrior - it strikes a nice balance between prog, jazz and rock. And the lineup is unreal. Chick Corea came to NZ last year (10 days after Herbie Hancock) and he's coming again in a few months. But Kraftwerk and Stereolab are performing before then so I doubt I'll have any money by that point. __________________ In the Court of King Crimson \| Last.fm \| RYM

11-17-2008, 08:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
khfreek What a guy Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brentwood, TN Posts: 2,123	Told you I'd pop in. Great video, they certainly are great musicians. I'm going to pick up Romantic Warrior then, based on Seltzer's short review there, and if I like it I'll go from there. __________________ last.fm

11-22-2008, 07:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Hmmm. Not sure. A PM may help me a little more __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

11-23-2008, 04:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
lucifer_sam Unrepentant Ass-Mod Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,921	PM sent. Enjoy. __________________ first.am

12-02-2008, 09:26 PM	#9 (permalink)
Kendall2000 Groupie Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 30	I saw them preform in June on there world tour in Indianapolis, and i must say they are incredible.....I love Stanly __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

11-23-2008, 01:33 AM	#5 (permalink)
Demonoid Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 734	I'm still waiting for the PM .

11-26-2008, 10:31 PM	#8 (permalink)
Demonoid Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 734	I just listened to this. Damn, that's some awesome technical skills shown there. I think Jazz-fusion is the only area where one can show their technical skills and still have good music to go along with it. Anyways, from what I listened to - The opening track, Medieval Overture gave an hint of what's to come, although parts of it didn't work all that well. The Sorceress is damn funky and groovy and my second favorite from the album. Has some great piano work in the middle as well. The title track is definitely my favorite . All the musicians did their part here and the track went along perfectly. Majestic Dance is a bit more strait forward and didn't impress me as much as the rest. A good tune though nonetheless and has Al Di Meola written all over it with his typical guitar shredding. The Magician was kinda weird and I'm not sure whether I liked it not. Need to listen to it another time. That goofy part at around 3 - minutes odd was especially weird . Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant was another highlight here. Definitely one of the best, and as good as the title track. So, overall, I'm definitely impressed, but I don't think the album is perfect. Both Majestic Dance & The Magician could have been a bit better though.