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RETURN TO FOREVER - THE MOTHERSHIP RETURNS! A SoundPress.net Feature Article by Laura Turner Lynch The band Return To Forever (RTF) was instrumental in expanding the jazz fusion movement of the 1970's. Yet, their exploratory compositions went well beyond jazz into the realms of rock and world. RTF was founded by pianist Chick Corea who had worked with Miles Davis. During its four-decade span the band has showcased a variety of musicians and launched the careers of a number of talented players including guitarist Al DiMeola.
 There has been spells of inactivity for RTF but whenever they toured, RTF's strong following would be present. The core of Return To Forever is Chick Corea at the helm with the rhythm team (Stanley Clarke-bass and Lenny White-drums) second in command. All are composers and musicians of the highest order. In 2011, Return To Forever established version four with Frank Gambale on guitar and the world renowned Jean Luc-Ponty on violin. This magical lineup recorded their live performances and packaged it into a cargo load of music. The Mothership Returns (Eagle Rock Entertainment) is a three-disk set in an 8-panel digipack that contains 2 CD's, 1 DVD and a booklet. The first of the 2 CD's opens with "Medieval Overture" with Chick in control of the mothership setting a purposeful course with his keys. The rest of RTF followed suit adding additional tempos and textures to the expansive jazz infused jam. Jean's violin rose to the top of the mix with strange laser like sounds. A stellar start that set the tone for both CDs. "Senor Mouse" as described by Corea was a playful melody that reminded him of a mouse at the helm of a spaceship. It was followed by a 16 minute spellbinding "The Shadow Of Lo/Sorceress" that ran the range from mellow to mystifying. "Renaissance" was enlightened by Frank's acoustic guitar work melding into beguiling bass lines from Stanley. On disc two, "After The Cosmic Rain" ebbed and flowed through unique and unpredictable progressions. "The Romantic Warrior" started with a saucy groove that subtly moved to seductive and then spirited. "Spain" was feisty and played with flair as fans echoed some of the instrumental interactions. "School Days" was lively and featured lavish guitar leads from Gambale. Lenny White throughout was rock solid and Jean Luc-Ponty with his acoustic and electric violins added new and engaging elements to RTF's classics. The second set closed with a glowing version of "Beyond The Seventh Galaxy". The DVD featured full live performances of the expansive and spacey "After The Cosmic Rain" and a pageantry of progressions in "The Romantic Warrior". The DVD recordings like the CDs were crisp and clean. The concerts were filmed at assorted camera angles including close-ups, long-shots and some use of black and white clips. The DVD captured the magic of the music and watching RTF work their wizardry added to our appreciation of their art. Stanley Clarke alone with his unique approach to the bass was mind boggling as he blended techniques of drags, strumming and thumps into his solos. The DVD also included the bonus film "Return To Forever: Inside The Music" with live footage and interviews of the band members discussing the CD and their songs that have traversed the super-highway of their 40-year career. The core three also recalled their early days together and the origin of some of their creative compositions. The Mothership Returns is a cargo load of music by some of the most respected artists in the universe. Return To Forever performed with passion and since their concerts are improvisational even their classics are still innovative. The addition of two new players enhanced RTF's dynamic live presentations and provided proof that Return To Forever is still out of this world!
Track Listings: CD Disc One:
CD Disc Two:
DVD
 Related Links: For more information on RETURN TO FOREVER and the other organizations mentioned please visit the following links - www.return2forever.com (Originally Published on June 15, 2012) |
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