Return to Forever - Returns
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Music CD Cover Artist: Return to Forever Edition: Music CD Audio: English (Unknown) CD Release Date: 2009-03-17 Music Label: Eagle Records (Fontana) Soundtracks: Music CD 1
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| New | New Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $12.61 | ||
| Used | Used Usually ships in 1-2 business days | $11.88 |
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Free Music Notes for Returns Album
Free Music Review: Returns 2CD Review
Hit: 3 Stars
In 1976 RTFs Romantic Warrior converted me from solely a rock fan to a jazz fan, specifically a jazz fusion fan. They played with the virtuosity of jazz players but with the edge and explosiveness of a great rock band. The themes they played were simple, concise and tight unlike the typical doodling and meandering that most jazz bands leaned toward. They were one of the few jazz bands that could actually "Rock" without resorting to repetitive riffs and sterile patterns. In the 80s Jazz fusion was alive and well but in the 9os and beyond, fusion bands become less and less adventurous and most drifted into the bland world of "Adult Contemporary" (See Yellow Jackets, Jean Luc Ponty, Spyrogyra). The choices today are slim with players such as Holdsworth, Bruford and Stern holding down the fort. So when I heard that RTF was releasing a reunion tour recording I couldn't wait for it to arrive.
After several listening sessions I was of two minds. The recording itself was excellent and the musicianship was superior. Corea et al were more polished and mature demonstrating that age has enhanced, rather than diminished their skills. This was particularly evident during their solos. In general, the compositions were left intact but each member added different takes on the original recordings which are where I have issues. From a jazz fans perspective the bands take on the classic RTF songs are innovative and interesting. From an original RTF fan perspective expecting an improvement of the "fusion" form, I found the songs were cluttered with too many extra notes in the guise of improvisation thereby diluting the dramatic impact of the original versions. Key solos found on the original albums were sometimes buried in the mix while at other points I found the playing simply too "busy" and "safe" dare I say smooth.
Having said all that, had I not grown up listening to the original RTF recordings I would give this CD 4.5 stars. But since I did, I must downgrade my review to 3.0 stars feeling that this recording is a bloated version of the original RTF lacking the edge and efficiency they demonstrated many many years ago.