CHICK COREA — Return to Forever (review)

CHICK COREA — Return to Forever album cover Album · 1972 · Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
4.5/5 ·
Amilisom
The debut album of Chick Corea's famous fusion group of the same name, "Return to Forever" came about with the rise of jazz fusion in the early 70's. It is regarded as a classic of not only jazz fusion, but of jazz overall.

Being from the early 70's, post-bop influences as well as some avant-garde from Corea's earlier years are prominent in his improvisations. The first track "Return to Forever" represents this the most, in which the tune slowly gets more and more chaotic when Corea begins soloing outside of the key and Flora Purim begins screaming and shouting. Despite this, most of this album is rather accessible in which the melodies remain tonal and repetitive. "Crystal Silence" is an excellent, melancholy fusion ballad that has an almost nostalgic feel to it. It is the only track where Flora Purim doesn't sing. "What Game Shall We Play Today" is the shortest and lightest track on the album. Being led with the vocal melody, this track sounds quite a bit like something that would fit in more of a preschool setting or in any setting for small children. However, the lyrics are actually vaguely spiritual, speaking of man being set free through truth and experiencing life as paradise. "Sometime Ago/La Fiesta" begins with a really well written/improvised introduction with Corea and Clarke playing freely for around 7 minutes. Eventually Purim comes in to sing the lyrics of "Sometime Ago," a tune that feels similar to the previous track, but is more related to the rest of the album. Following this is an interlude into "La Fiesta," a latin jam which creatively flows in and out of key and time during Corea's solo.

I have found that this album is a great listen while driving in snow, especially the first two tracks and the introduction to the fourth.
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