by Brian D. Holland.

This dual CD set of the long-awaited reunion tour of Chick Corea's Return to Forever features the potent lineup of keyboardist Corea, bassist Stanley Clarke, drummer Lenny White, and guitarist Al Di Meola. Thirty-two years after "Romantic Warrior," the last studio album with Di Meola and White, the music herein is an impeccable magnum opus by a quartet of influential musicians who had much to do with the fusion and modern jazz movement of the latter part of the 20th century. Although most of the concert was filmed and recorded live at Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater, Florida, the recording also contains two from the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts, and one from the Montreux Jazz Festival, all from the summer of 2008.

A magical piece called "Opening Prayer" prologues into "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy," the opening piece from both the 1972 album of the same name and its follower, "Where Have I Known You Before" (the first with Bill Connors and the follower with Di Meola). Immediately, each member exerts one quarter respectively of flawless ability in this amazing arrangement. Proving once again that he's indisputably one of the greatest shredders of all-time, Di Meola executes his own magic and moves about his Paul Reed Smith guitar with flawless fluidity. Next is "Vulcan Worlds," from "Where Have I Known You Before," the 1974 album that saw the debut of Di Meola into the mix. Though the 14-minute piece once again features each member's expertise equally, in soloing as well, the audience is treated to the astounding right-hand snap technique of the song's composer, bassist Stanley Clarke.

Listen to "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy" from Return To Forever Returns

Each member has entire solo pieces. Chick Corea is incredibly standout in pianist expertise and dexterity in his nine minute "Chick's Solo: Friendship/Solar." Following a six-minute piano solo, he leads the band through a post-bop excursion of Miles Davis' "Solar." It sets the stage for his introduction into the magical "Romantic Warrior." Next is "Stanley's Solo: El Bayo de Negro," in which the bassist embarks on a soothing journey of everything bottom. He utilizes assorted tonal nuances with single notes and chords in about as many percussive ways as virtually possible with a bass guitar. It's astonishing.

Di Meola's solo arrangement takes the listener on several diverse excursions. The suite begins with a duet between himself and Corea in "Children's Song," as Lenny White lightly shuffles along in the background with percussive brushes. To the delight of the audience, Al then enters into his own "Passion, Grace and Fire," concluding with piano accompaniment in "Mediterranean Sundance." The whole affair is an acoustic masterpiece.

It's wonderful to hear these four brilliant musicians perform together again. They're an incredible band of the finest quality.Returns is a flashback to the music that made the fusion movement so powerful and prominent, and it's evident in the moving, mesmerizing, and deeply passionate arrangements. Return to Forever has returned. And although they all possess a talent that renders them much too busy to stick around in just one project, let's hope they feel the need to return again.

Return To Forever Returns Track Listing

Disc One
1. Opening Prayer (Corea): 2:03
2. Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (Corea): 3:43
3. Vulcan Worlds (Clarke): 13:45
4. Sorceress (White): 11:22
5. Song to the Pharaoh Kings (Corea): 27:13
6. Al's Solo, including:
Children's Song #3 (Corea) (Duet with Chick)
Passion Grace & Fire (Di Meola)
Mediterranean Sundance (Di Meola)
Cafe 1930 (Piazzolla)
Spain (Corea) (Duet with Chick): 8:54
7. No Mystery (Corea): 8:52

Disc Two
1. Friendship (Corea)
Chick's Solo, including Solar (Davis): 8:52
2. Romantic Warrior (Corea): 7:19
3. El Bayo de Negro (Clarke) (Stanley's Solo): 11:25
4. Lineage (White) (Lenny's Solo): 7:39
5. Romantic Warrior (Continued) (Corea): 3:03
6. Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant (Corea): 14:03

Bonus Tracks
7. 500 Miles High (Corea): 12:48
8. BBC Lifetime Achievement Award (Presented by Sir George Martin; with a live performance of Romantic Warrior) (Corea): 8:20

Label: Eagle Records

Released March 17, 2009

Links:
Return To Forever
Return to Forever Returns on Amazon