Having seen Return To Forever, having a chance to meet the band after that concert, and also, having posted about what their music is here, I wanted to revisit what they contribute to the world of jazz and jazz fusion music by looking closer at the new double album by their three core members, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White.
In 2011, the trio released "Forever" which is a live and in-studio record that covers many jazz standards as well as songs by Return To Forever as a band, done as a trio, or, as the quartet of RTF, though this is NOT (repeat, not), indicated to be a Return To Forever album. The two discs completely contrast each other. Disc one is traditional trio or combo, acoustic jazz. It is comprised of Chick on grand piano, Stanley on bass, and Lenny on drums. There are a couple Return To Forever numbers as well as jazz standards and songs Chick Corea wrote for other projects on that disc.
Disc two is the full electric band that is essentially what Return To Forever has become throughout their career. It is Cora, Clarke, White, Jean Luc Ponty, and Bill Connors (the original RTF guitarist), playing. Connors was meant to be on the tour in 2011 but health issues prevented him from going out on the road, so, Frank Gambale took his place. Either way, RTF has had three amazing guitarists in their lineup over the years between Connors, Al di Meola, or Frank Gambale. They are all very talented musicians and bring their own flair to the songs. Connors shines on the electric portion of the album. Chaka Khan makes a guest appearance on vocals for a few of the tracks on the more electric sounding disc in the set, singing lead vocals on "High Wire - The Aerialist", and "I Loves You, Porgy" (George Gershwin). There are superb covers on this record in addition to the RTF inspired material, or Chick Corea solo pieces.
Here's the track listing
Disc 1
Acoustic
1. On Green Dolphin Street (Kaper & Washington)
2. Waltz for Debbie (Evans & Lees)
3. Bud Powell (Chick Corea)
4. La Cancion de Sofia (Stanley Clarke)
5. Windows (Chick Corea)
6. Hackensack (Thelonius Monk)
7. No Mystery (Chick Corea)
8. Senor Mouse (Chick Corea)
Disc 2
Electric
1. Captain Marvel (Chick Corea)
2. Senor Mouse (Chick Corea)
3. Crescent (John Coltrane)
4. Armando's Rhumba (Chick Corea), *Chick Corea's given first name is Armando.
5. Renaissance (Jean Luc Ponty)
6. High Wire - The Aerialist (Chick Corea) feat. Chaka Khan
7. I Loves You, Porgy (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) feat. Chaka Khan
8. After The Cosmic Rain (Stanley Clarke)
9. Space Circus (Chick Corea)
10. 500 Miles High (Chick Corea) *this track returns to the piano, bass and drums arrangement found on the first disc.
The virtuosity of these musicians is very difficult to describe without hearing it either in person or on recording. But, this record (whether it's the more traditional jazz, or the fusion inspired tracks), is very inspiring to listen to. Return To Forever is a very unique band and was one of the first (arguably after what was done by Miles Davis), to go in the jazz/rock fusion direction. It is also great to see these players bring to the forefront, what purists might call "real" jazz, too. But, any form of jazz (as there were so many eras), is real, at least to my ears. Yes, I am editorializing with that last comment. But, it's true. Each era of jazz has it's own unique sound.
Great to see the band paying tribute to jazz greats with their choice of cover numbers on this record as well, and pulling out a lot of acoustic oriented tracks for the first half, while retaining the tight, synchronized sound that is so free and open to improvisation that RTF is known for. Check this one out.
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