RETURN TO FOREVER: LIVE

RTF has aways been very important to me as I like the music (very much!) since I heard 'The Endless Night' for the first time in 1977. It blew me away due to its excellent melody, vocal line (Gayle Moran), and unique keyboard / moog solo. This live album is an example on how great the music and the musicians are. The copy i have right now is only a cassette that I purchased in December 30, 1981. By the time I had already been familiar with studio albums of the band and I really enjoyed this live set since the first time I spun the cassette. As a fan of RTF I feel obliged to write a review on this because I am surprised that now one has written it. If you love jazz rock fusion, I assure you like this live performance. (In reviewing this live set, I replay the cassette and I find joy listening to it as it represents the old days when I only had cassettes, no CD).

As a matter of background, RTF had released 7 studio albums with some changes in line-up and two founding members still remain: Chick Corea (keyboard) and Stanley Clarke (bass). Music critics claim that the best lineup was when Lenny White (drums) and Al Di Meola (guitar) joined the band as a quartet. As far as musical taste, I enjoy all of the 7 studio albums as they are predominantly Chick Corea style. Their last studio album Music Magic' (1977) was a big-band line-up with brass section; a dramatic change from previous quartet line-up with Chick-Al-Stanley-Lenny. Lenny White and Al Di Meola were no longer with the band in the last album.

Great improvisations

'So Long Mickey Mouse' is a great example of how the jazz rock fusion music composition played excellently with improvisations on keyboard / mini-moog, bass guitar and flute. Eventhough it sounds complex and relatively moves in fast tempo with high octane energy, the harmonies resulted from each instruments including brass section sounds terrific from start to end. Gayle Moran plays her role nicely as singer with no lyrics but sings choir like 'aaaa...aaaa...aaa' that gives nice texture of the whole track, performed live. Chick plays his inventive keyboard work beautifully, combined with Joe Farrel's flute / piccolo work and dynamic bass playing by Stanley. Garry Brown who sits on drum stool replacing Lenny White is a great drummer as he can provide nice fills between segments.

'The Musician' is basically a tune to demonstrate the masteries of brass section musicians as each individual player is given a chance to perform solo. As I was a trombone player when I joined Marching Band Waditra Ganesha ITB in 1980, I paid particular attention on trombone solos by Jim Pugh (lead tenor), Harold Garret (bass trombone), and Ron Moss (tenor trombone). They all play great! The music itsefl is very energetic, run in relatively fast tempo with excellent groove throughout the track.

I also enjoy Chick's Piano Solo as it is very inventive, dynamic and skillful. He is the best piano player in jazz! In 'Music Magic' the brass section is given a chance to demonstrate their skills in energetic way. 'The Moorish Warrior and The Spanish Princes' is like a big band orchestra, playing in a bit mellow style with nice ambient. Gayle Moran sings nicely on 'Come Rain or Come Shine' with his husband, Chick Corea, plays wonderful notes on his piano.

My favorite track is 'The Endless Night' which is performed wonderfully in an extended version (compared to studio album 'Music magic') featuring improvisations by each player. Unfortunately the long intro on Chick's keyboard is ommitted on this record but the overall musical performance sounds terrific to my ears. I really enjoy it, especially on Chick's solo, Stanley bass playing and Gayle - Stanley duo singing. Oh man ... I know that i am more symphonic prog than jazz, but this album is totally great! I am so satisfied listening to this album in its entirety! Keep on proggin'...!

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW