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Romantic Warrior, Return to Forever's 1976 masterpiece, is an album called Essenziale, a cornucopia of technique, virtuosity, creativity, and musical exploration that still inspires wonder and admiration today—all ingredients that make this Chick Corea's progressive album and probably the best "progressive fusion" album ever...
Return to Forever is an American jazz fusion band founded by pianist and keyboardist Chick Corea in 1972. Their sound is a masterful fusion of jazz, samba, and Latin influences that has evolved through various lineups into an aggressive jazz rock.
The core members, besides Corea, were bassist Stanley Clarke, guitarist Al Di Meola, and drummer Lenny White, the lineup for this fantastic album.
It's a masterpiece of progressive rock, jazz-rock fusion, and digressions into medieval fantasy. The band features virtuosic interpretations of complex compositions to which all the musicians contributed, creating a definitive album in the genre and a highlight for the band.
Al Di Meola's solos are simply extraordinary.
Stanley Clarke on bass is exceptional, transcending the instrument's traditional role and becoming the cornerstone of the band's sound.
Lenny White on drums, with his superb grooves and incredible speed.
Chick Korea's keyboards are fantastic, perhaps his best work.
This album is the pinnacle of this band's achievements, as well as their final album together, a grand and triumphant farewell to the era that united them.
Some notes on the tracks:
- Medieval Overture, with an atmosphere of mystery and complexity, featuring superb keyboard and bass work.
- Romantic Warrior, entirely instrumental, a powerful, epic composition.
- "Majestic Dance" written by Al Di Meola, centered on the guitar—a truly great guitar.
- "The Magician" written by Stanley Clarke, with its powerful bass.
- "Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant," an epic piece divided into two parts that closes the album, with a dramatic and grandiose mood.
Just over 45 minutes long, a monstrous lineup, a must-have for jazz fusion fans, a cornerstone of the genre that has influenced many subsequent bands. What more could you ask for?
Highly recommended!!!
Tracklist
1. Medieval Overture (5:14)
2. Sorceress (7:34)
3. The Romantic Warrior (10:52)
4. Majestic Dance (5:01)
5. The Magician (5:29)
6. Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant (11:26)
Duration 45:36
LineUp
- Chick Corea - Yamaha organ, piano, Fender Rhodes, Hohner clavinet, Polymoog, Minimoog, Moog 15, Micromoog, ARP Odyssey, marimba, percussion, producer
- Al DiMeola - guitars (electric, acoustic, and soprano), percussion
- Stanley Clarke - basses (Alembic, acoustic, and piccolo), percussion
- Lenny White - drums, congas, cymbals, timbales, timpani, hand bells, snare drum
Note: All links to the musicians' works are in the TAGS under the article title or on the "Artists" page
