Majestic dance (Return To Forever) (LP 1061-1063)

Return To Forever  Romantic Warrior (Vinyl, Columbia Records, 1976) ****  

Return To Forever  Musicmagic (CD, Columbia Records, 1977) ***  

Return To Forever  Live (Vinyl, Columbia Records, 1978) *** 

Genre: Jazz fusion 

Places I remember: Vinyl from Amoeba Records (San Francisco); CD - Real Groovy Records

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant (Parts I and II) from Romantic Warrior

Gear costume: Sorceress (Romantic Warrior)

Active compensatory factors: Return To Forever is an unusual jazz fusion supergroup, in that they worked well and often from 1972 until 1978, before reconvening for live outings 32 years later!

What talent! Chick Corea - composer, keyboards; Stanley Clarke - composer, bass; Lenny White - composer, drums; and Al DiMeola - composer, guitars.

Phew! They also seemed to operate without rampant egos getting in the way. Admittedly, they each had burgeoning careers outside of Return To Forever, but when they came together they produced some exciting albums.

Here are three - their last three as it happens.

I was immediately drawn to Romantic Warrior when I saw it in a book of record covers. That image grabbed my attention, so I bought a copy while working at Marbecks. It was part of a cull at some point - I have no idea why, so I bought a new copy on a visit to San Francisco for our eldest daughter's wedding.

It's intense, challenging, but it's accessible and rewarding. It also speeds on by breathlessly. The individuals' trademark sounds are all there - Corea's bright keyboards, Clarke's funky fluid bass, DiMeola's rapid flurries, and White's peerless drumming.

Musicmagic was their final studio album and for me it's a mixed bag as it's only Corea and Clarke on board with a large supporting cast, including brass section and vocals from Corea and his wife (Gayle Moran), which I'm not too fond of it must be said.

The live album features the Musicmagic cast, as they were touring following that album. My copy is a single record, it's been released in expanded formats subsequently.

It's a beefer, more arresting collection than the Musicmagic studio album. Stanley Clarke in particular seems to thrive in the face to face live duels with the other musicians. The brass really sounds good too in the live setting. But those vocals are still featured and they still don't do much for me.

Where do they all belong? Anthologies are probably your best bet if new to the band, or else jump in with both feet for Romantic Warrior.