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When pianist Chick Corea, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White joined forces with guitarist Al Di Meola for a reunion gig of their mid-70s fusion behemoth Return to Forever a few years ago, the results were perfunctory rather than progressive. All of the expected chops were there, but the cutting edge was largely absent. Cynics may well cock a snook at this venture which showcases the triumvirate within that group – Corea, Clarke and White – yet it would be unfair for fusionphobes to rush to judgment.
For a start, this is a two-CD set that shows that, for all of their desire to wade into the choppy waters of electric jazz-rock, Corea et al were very much anchored in hard-swinging acoustic bebop, which is highlighted by tracks recorded live at venues such as Yoshi’s in California. As one would expect, musicians with 50-something years of playing experience flex their muscles quite gleefully on standards such as Bill Evans’ Waltz for Debby and Monk’s Hackensack, where the soloing, interplay and split-second timing amid high-tempo exchanges of ideas are masterful. However, things become perhaps more interesting when the trio reprises Corea’s No Mystery, an acoustic piece originally recorded right in the middle of RTF’s electric saturnalia. The music is just as powerful, regardless of the absence of a battery of synthesizers and wah wah pedals, primarily because Clarke has a huge, robust tone that lends as much backbone to the ensemble sound as would be the case were any guitars and keys involved.
Disc two consolidates the electro-acoustic continuum by augmenting the trio with skilled RTF alumnus, guitarist Bill Connors as well as ex-Frank Zappa violinist Jean-Luc Ponty. The improvisations don’t lack any bite, but the arrangements just feel too telegraphic, showcasing one guest after another; the end result is much less engaging than the trio, possibly because the Corea-Clarke-White core is so cohesive. Soul diva Chaka Khan, who recorded with the trio back in the 80s, makes a welcome appearance on a charming Corea original High Wire – The Aerialist and the Gershwin evergreen I Loves You Porgy.
--Kevin Le Gendre
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
After the triumphant return of "Return to Forever" in 2008, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White decided on their latest CD to revisit where it all began on a two-CD set of 18 quintessential tunes from their past endeavors.
The first CD - recorded live - highlights jazz standards they've covered, and in all honesty, this trio still holds your attention on tunes you may have heard almost too many times...credit where credit is due.
Disc two features some of "Return to Forever"'s earlier work featuring the bands original guitarist Bill Connors, always a pleasure to listen to, and violin virtuoso Jean-Luc Ponty.
You will listen to these tracks and what admittingly floats through your mind is...when music was music.
With all due respect to so many great artists that have followed, these compositions more or less set the standard for future contemporary jazz, in the best sense of the word/words.
All throughout these CDs Corea, Clarke, and White tear it up, while the sense of a great composition is never undermined.
Another musical treat to this project is the presence of Chaka Khan for a track, singing like only she can.
For the record, Stanley is at his best all throughout both CDs.
For those who have had "Forever" in their musical history, this is a no-brainer to add to your collection for all the right reasons. J. Kot
Highlights include the standards "On Green Dolphin Street", "Waltz for Debby" and "Hackensack", exquisite Corea-classics "Bud Powell" and "Windows", Clarke's beautiful new "La Canción de Sofia" and RTF pieces "Señor Mouse" and "No Mystery".
Return to Forever
The first CD - recorded live - highlights jazz standards they've covered, and in all honesty, this trio still holds your attention on tunes you may have heard almost too many times...credit where credit is due.
Disc two features some of "Return to Forever"'s earlier work featuring the bands original guitarist Bill Connors, always a pleasure to listen to, and violin virtuoso Jean-Luc Ponty.
You will listen to these tracks and what admittingly floats through your mind is...when music was music.
With all due respect to so many great artists that have followed, these compositions more or less set the standard for future contemporary jazz, in the best sense of the word/words.
All throughout these CDs Corea, Clarke, and White tear it up, while the sense of a great composition is never undermined.
Another musical treat to this project is the presence of Chaka Khan for a track, singing like only she can.
For the record, Stanley is at his best all throughout both CDs.
For those who have had "Forever" in their musical history, this is a no-brainer to add to your collection for all the right reasons. J. Kot
Highlights include the standards "On Green Dolphin Street", "Waltz for Debby" and "Hackensack", exquisite Corea-classics "Bud Powell" and "Windows", Clarke's beautiful new "La Canción de Sofia" and RTF pieces "Señor Mouse" and "No Mystery".
Return to Forever
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a welcome addition to any Chick Corea collection. The Corea, Clarke, White trio is just brilliant; group of musicians who are almost telepathic in their mutual understanding of the music. Disc carries a seamless atmosphere through a range of material from On Green Dolphin Street through No Mystery to Senior Mouse. Disc 2 introduces some Return to Forever alumni such as Bill Connors as well as the rather under rated Chaka Khan. For those of us that only really know Ms Khan as the singer of I'm Every Woman there is so much more to her that this check out Echoes of An Era which showcases her with this band along with Joe Henderson and Freddie Hubbard.
The BBC review of this album dismisses 2009s Returns but I would argue that Kevin Le Gendre is just wrong; he displays all the features of someone who remains prejudices against electric fusion jazz.
This album is a must have for any Chick Corea fan. Also check out Children Of Forever
The BBC review of this album dismisses 2009s Returns but I would argue that Kevin Le Gendre is just wrong; he displays all the features of someone who remains prejudices against electric fusion jazz.
This album is a must have for any Chick Corea fan. Also check out Children Of Forever
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Lenny White's straightforward, no nonsense production, along with some masterfully accurate live and studio recording has captured Corea, Clarke, White (and friends) at their best. Forever highlights the communication, coherence and musical bonds that 40 years of playing jazz together can bring to standards or fusion classics. Disc 1 and the last track on Disk 2 showcase the trio's 2009 tour. Live trio recordings of jazz standards and reinterpretations from all 3 of the Return To Forever incarnations. Chic's piano is at it's fluid best, Stanley's bass tone and swing is as musical as it gets, and Lenny's drumming is as tight and imaginative as ever. I started to list out the highlights and found I was referencing every track. Whether it is On Green Dolphin Street, Waltz for Debby, or No Mystery, these are great, great versions with delightful solos, but they are trio interpretations - a team of 3 connected in thought, not just great individual musicians (which they are too). Clarke's La Canción De Sophia is a beautiful composition. You'll love it all.
Most of disc 2 is taken from rehearsals at Mad Hatter studios for one of the tour shows that would have guest appearances from Bill Connors, Jean-Luc Ponty and Chaka Khan. They are "live" in the studio, mostly one take versions, with some banter captured on the intros and outros. Although there is a transition to electric instruments, it's a natural progression from the acoustic trio, without any prominent synthesizer on show. Connors and Ponty show the stepping stone towards RTF IV, currently touring where Frank Gambale replaces Connors, who apparently doesn't leave California. Chaka Khan's jazz voice is an excellent instrument added to Chic's High Wire and Gershwin's I Loves You Porgy. The highlights, however, are the new evolved arrangements of After the Cosmic Rain and Space Circus. Connors restrained power and Ponty's violin augments the trio, rather than it being a jolt of a shift to a new band. This is a great (return to) Forever album.
Most of disc 2 is taken from rehearsals at Mad Hatter studios for one of the tour shows that would have guest appearances from Bill Connors, Jean-Luc Ponty and Chaka Khan. They are "live" in the studio, mostly one take versions, with some banter captured on the intros and outros. Although there is a transition to electric instruments, it's a natural progression from the acoustic trio, without any prominent synthesizer on show. Connors and Ponty show the stepping stone towards RTF IV, currently touring where Frank Gambale replaces Connors, who apparently doesn't leave California. Chaka Khan's jazz voice is an excellent instrument added to Chic's High Wire and Gershwin's I Loves You Porgy. The highlights, however, are the new evolved arrangements of After the Cosmic Rain and Space Circus. Connors restrained power and Ponty's violin augments the trio, rather than it being a jolt of a shift to a new band. This is a great (return to) Forever album.
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