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.

Hot fun (Stanley Clarke) (LP 401 - 405)

Stanley Clarke Stanley Clarke (CD, Epic, 1974) ***
Stanley Clarke Journey To Love (CD, Epic, 1975) ***
Stanley Clarke School Days (CD, Epic, 1976) ****
Stanley Clarke Modern Man (CD, Epic, 1978) ****
Stanley Clarke Clarke/ Duke Project (CD, Epic, 1981) **** 

Genre: Jazz fusion

Places I remember: HMV London

Fab, and all the other pimply hyperboles: Modern Man (from Modern Man) 




Gear costume: The Dancer (from School Days); Rock and Roll Jelly (from Modern Man)

Active compensatory factors: Fusion is a genre that is pretty much made for me. There are elements of prog rock, it's jazz, but not jazz, has guitars and guitar wig outs, mainly instrumentals, some show-off-manship and pretension, a lot of noodling...all there in the genre.

Stanley is one of fusion's main heroes - a bass guitarist who creates out there music with some of the best musicians on the planet: Tony Williams (drums); Jan Hammer (keyboards); Chick Corea (piano); George Duke (keyboards); Jeff Beck (guitar); John McLaughlin (guitar); Lenny White (drums). That's only some, and that's only on the first two albums listed above!

Each of these five albums contains some sublime playing -  and each has at least one peak track: Lopsy Lu (Stanley Clarke); Concerto For Jazz Rock Orchestra (Journey To Love); The Dancer and Hot Fun (School Days); Modern Man (Modern Man); Wild Dog (Clarke/Duke Project).

Only down side is his proclivity, from time to time, for solo bass pieces. Youch. Those moments are for the diehard bassists!


Where do they all belong? If you need more - return to Return To Forever.