Return To Forever - Song To The Pharaoh Kings (Montreux 2008)

Al Di Meola - Tirami Su (1987)

Al di Meola, who in his early days sometimes sacrificed feeling for speed (he always had remarkable technique), grew and developed through the years. His final of three Manhattan releases is his finest, a sextet outing with keyboardist Kei Akagi, electric bassist Anthony Jackson, acoustic bassist Harvie Swartz, drummer Tommy Brechtlein, and his longtime percussionist, Mino Cinelu. Having grown out of his fusion roots, di Meola's interest in world music and folk music from other countries is displayed throughout this colorful set, particularly on such numbers as "Beijing Demons," "Song to the Pharoah Kings," and the exciting "Rhapsody of Fire."

by Scott Yanow in All Music Guide

Styles:
Fusion
Jazz-Rock

Tracks:
01 - Beijing Demons (06:22)
02 - Arabella (07:08)
03 - Smile from a Stranger (05:40)
04 - Rhapsody of Fire (05:03)
05 - Song to the Pharaoh Kings (08:44)
06 - Andonea (03:01)
07 - Maraba (05:18)
08 - Song with a View (06:20)
09 - Tirami Su, Part 1 (01:10)
10 - July (05:21)
11 - Soaring Through a Dream (12:33)

Line-up:
Al Di Meola – guitar
Anthony Jackson – bass guitar
Kei Akagi – keyboards
Tom Brechtlein – drums
Mino Cinelu – percussion
Jose Renato – vocals
Harvie S – bass

Return to Forever - Romantic Warrior (1976)

The most popular and successful lineup of Return to Forever -- Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, and Al Di Meola -- was coming off the Grammy-winning No Mystery when it recorded its third and final album, Romantic Warrior. It has been suggested that in employing a medieval album cover (drawn by Wilson McLean), using titles like "Medieval Overture" and "Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant," and occasionally playing in a baroque style, particularly in Clarke's "The Magician," Corea was responding to Rick Wakeman's successful string of albums on similar themes. Certainly, the music suggests that the musicians have been listening to Wakeman's band, Yes, among other progressive rock groups. But they bring more of a traditional jazz approach to their sound, particularly in the opening statement of intent "Medieval Overture" and the original side one closer, "The Romantic Warrior," both of which feature extensive acoustic piano soloing by Corea. The original side two -- Di Meola's "Majestic Dance," "The Magician," and "Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant" -- is much more in a jazz-rock style, with Di Meola particularly rocking out on extensive, fast-paced electric guitar solos. Meanwhile, the rhythm section of Clarke and White is always extremely busy, maintaining a funky, driving pulse and several cross rhythms no matter what's going on above it. This is particularly noticeable, naturally, on White's sole composition, "Sorceress," but it continues to keep the music in the fusion camp even when Corea is sounding like a more traditional jazz pianist. Romantic Warrior is the sound of a mature band at the top of its game, which may help explain why it was Return to Forever's most popular album, eventually certified as a gold record, and the last by this assemblage. Having expressed themselves this well, they decided it was time for them to move on.

by William Ruhlmann at All Music Guide.

Styles:
Post-Bop
Fusion

Tracks:
01 Medieval Overture
02 Sorceress
03 The Romantic Warrior
04 Majestic Dance
05 The Magician
06 Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant, Pts. 1 & 2

Line-up:
Chick Corea – keyboards
Stanley Clarke – electric bass, acoustic bass
Lenny White – drums, percussion
Al di Meola – electric guitar / acoustic guitar

Return to Forever - No Mystery (1975)

The second edition of Chick Corea's Return to Forever only lasted three years, resulting in four influential recordings of which this was their third. Corea's versatile keyboards and composing talents, Al DiMeola's intense rockish guitar, Stanley Clarke's funky electric bass and Lenny White's powerful drumming combined to create a true fusion supergroup. Highlights of their passionate set include "No Mystery" and Corea's two-part "Celebration Suite."

by Scott Yanow at All Music Guide.

Style:
Fusion

Tracks:
01 Dayride
02 Jungle Waterfall
03 Flight of the Newborn
04 Sofistifunk
05 Excerpt from the First Movement of Heavy Metal
06 No Mystery
07 Interplay
08 Celebration Suite, Pt.1
09 Celebration Suite, Pt.2

Line-up:
Chick Corea – acoustic piano / electric piano / clavinet / organ / synthesizers /snare drum / marimba / vocals
Stanley Clarke – electric bass / acoustic bass / organ / synthesizer / vocals
Lenny White – drums / percussion / congas / marimba
Al di Meola – electric guitar / acoustic guitar

Return to Forever - Where Have I Known You Before (1974)

This Return to Forever set finds guitarist Al DiMeola debuting with the pacesetting fusion quartet, an influential unit that also featured keyboardist Chick Corea, electric bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White. On this high energy set, short interludes separate the main pieces: "Vulcan Worlds," "The Shadow of Lo," "Beyond the Seventh Galaxy," "Earth Juice" and the lengthy "Song to the Pharoah Kings." Acoustic purists are advised to avoid this music, but listeners who grew up on rock and wish to explore jazz will find this stimulating music quite accessible.

by Scott Yanow at All Music Guide.

Styles:
Fusion
Post-Bop

Tracks:
01 Vulcan Worlds
02 Where Have I Loved You Before?
03 Shadow of Lo
04 Where Have I Danced With You Before
05 Beyond the Seventh Galaxy
06 Earth Juice
07 Where Have I Known You Before?
08 Song to the Pharoah Kings

Line-up:
Chick Corea – electric piano / acoustic piano / organ / synthesizers / percussion
Stanley Clarke – electric bass / organ / bell tree / chimes
Lenny White – drums / percussion / congas & bongos
Al di Meola – electric guitar / acoustic twelve-string guitar