CHICK COREA: RETURN TO FOREVER

This has to rank as one of the two or three greatest fusion albums ever made, easily in the same class as Bitches Brew by Miles and Birds of Fire by Mahavishnu. Whereas the former was The ultimate statement of stylistic exploration and the latter was the height of breathtaking ferocious musicianship, this first album by Chick Corea's Return to Forever is a masterpiece of melody and free spirits. Underlying the shimmering tones and colors of the electric piano and soaring flights of the soprano sax and flute is the propulsive and virtuoso bass work of Stanley Clarke giving the music drive and conterpoint to the other instruments: all of this moving along on a bed of latin rythm. All of the songs build and breath and crescendo in an continually evolving apex of beautiful improvisation. Stunning musicianship throughout.Highly reccomended.