WHERE HAVE I KNOWN YOU BEFORE

I've been listening to this album and "No Mystery" for the last week or so, and to say I have been impressed would be a huge understatement. I went back to my review of RETURN TO FOREVER's debut, and was surprised I rated it only 3 stars. So I broke it out for a listen today then it all came back to me. The debut is very much a mellow, Latin flavoured album with no lead guitar. It's still really good, but for my money the ones that follow it and "Light As A Feather" are much more appealing. I mean look at this lineup people ! Chick Corea, Lenny White, Al DiMeola and Stanley Clarke ! These four guys are near, or at the very top of their proffesions.

"Vulcan Worlds" sounds so good to open with those liquid keys, bass and drums. DiMeola comes and goes. Some in your face synths from Chick. Everything sounds so amazing here. Love the drumming especially. Corea takes the lead before 3 minutes. DiMeola shines 4 1/2 minutes in. Clarke's turn 5 minutes in. Fabulous guitar before 7 minutes. A calm with keys follows. Check out White to end it. "Where Have I Loved You Before" features Chick alone playing these beautiful melodies on his piano. "Shadow Of Lo" opens with such gorgeous piano melodies. Drums and bass join in around a minute. It's still pastoral as tasteful guitar joins in. It gets aggressive 3 1/2 minutes in. What a great sound ! A change 5 1/2 minutes in to a funky sound. "Where Have I Danced With You Before" is another short song with piano melodies only. It sounds so good though.

"Beyond The Seventh Galaxy" again another song that opens with those beautiful liquid piano notes. A full sound comes in quickly this time, as drums pound it out. This part reminds me of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA. Killer drumming 2 minutes in.This song has a connection with their previous album called coincedently "Hymn Of The Seventh galaxy". "Earth Juice" has this catchy beat as DiMeola lights it up. This is one funky tune man. Infectious. "Where have I Known You Before" is made up of more piano melodies from Chick. "Song To The Pharoah" is the over 14 minute closer. It opens with synths that lead the way until a change before 3 minutes when it kicks into gear. Amazing sound 5 1/2 minutes in. The drumming is fantastic ! The bass from Clarke 6 1/2 minutes in has my full attention. The tempo and moods change until a nice jazzy melody 8 1/2 minutes in. Some great guitar joins in as bass throbs and drums pound. Check out the keys after 10 1/2 minutes as it calms down. This proggy song continues to unfold it's wonders right to the end.

A very solid 4 stars and a must for Fusion fans. This and "Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy" are my favourite RETURN TO FOREVER albums.