Chick Corea contributed the longest compositions as well as the other members each composed ane piece. The opener, "Medieval Overture", with its distinctive melodic motifs, sets the mood for the residuum of the album. Lenny White's "Sorceress" starts with a funky riff as well as is distinguished past times Corea's synthesizers. The championship rails is fully acoustic. It has a long intro, which is followed past times a brusk subject consisting of ane riff. Each grouping member, excluding White, plays a long solo. In the end, an extended outro follows, during which fast unison patterns are heard. Al Di Meola's as well as Stanley Clarke's songs on side 2 are notable for their humorous qualities. Al Di Meola's song, "Majestic Dance", relies on stone riffs as well as distorted atomic number 82 guitar sound, but features likewise fast harpsichord-like synth figures. Clarke's "The Magician" is a really complex composition, featuring playful melodies, as well as again, rapid unison lines. The in conclusion rails of the album is Corea's "Duel of the Jester as well as the Tyrant", which is the longest vocal of the album. It has a to a greater extent than conventional tune every bit a top dog theme, but otherwise it follows the mode of previous tracks. Notable is the intense keyboard solo showcasing Corea.
The around pop as well as successful lineup of Return to Forever -- Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, as well as Al Di Meola -- was coming off the Grammy-winning No Mystery when it recorded its 3rd as well as terminal album, Romantic Warrior. It has been suggested that inwards employing a medieval album encompass (drawn past times Wilson McLean), using titles similar "Medieval Overture" as well as "Duel of the Jester as well as the Tyrant," as well as occasionally playing inwards a baroque style, specially inwards 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 accept been listening to Wakeman's band, Yes, alongside other progressive stone groups. But they convey to a greater extent than of a traditional jazz approach to their sound, specially inwards the opening disputation of intent "Medieval Overture" as well as the master copy side ane closer, "The Romantic Warrior," both of which characteristic extensive acoustic pianoforte soloing past times Corea. The master copy side 2 -- Di Meola's "Majestic Dance," "The Magician," as well as "Duel of the Jester as well as the Tyrant" -- is much to a greater extent than inwards a jazz-rock style, with Di Meola specially rocking out on extensive, fast-paced electrical guitar solos. Meanwhile, the beat department of Clarke as well as White is ever extremely busy, maintaining a funky, driving pulse as well as several cross rhythms no affair what's going on higher upwardly it. This is specially noticeable, naturally, on White's sole composition, "Sorceress," but it continues to hold the music inwards the fusion army camp fifty-fifty when Corea is sounding similar a to a greater extent than traditional jazz pianist. Romantic Warrior is the audio of a mature band at the top of its game, which may attention explicate why it was Return to Forever's around pop album, eventually certified every bit a golden record, as well as the in conclusion past times this assemblage. Having expressed themselves this well, they decided it was fourth dimension for them to deed on.
The terminal album past times the longest-lasting "classic" lineup of the grouping (which consisted of Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White as well as Al DiMeola) was Romantic Warrior, on which they continued their experiments inwards the realms of jazz-rock as well as related music genres, as well as was lauded past times critics for both the technically demanding mode of its compositions every bit good every bit for its accomplished musicianship.
This is a Classic Fusion Jazz album! Listened to it thousands of fourth dimension (probably) every bit a immature adult. And, it was ane of the around amazing concert (and I accept been to roughly cracking ones!) I accept ever been to. Return to Forever of this era was ane of the best bands ever! And, this is easily their best album ever!
When Al Dimiola, Lenny White, Stanley Clark, as well as Chick Corea were totally as well as absolutely inwards sync with the lightening fast riffs... OMG! It blew me away!!! And, is a retentivity that stays with me forty years later.
Another fantastic classic for Chic Corea & Return To Forever with musicians Chic, Al Dimeola, Stanley Clarke & Lenny White creating 6 exciting pieces of futuristic jazz, difficult to believe that this cd was released inwards 1976. Tracks similar Medieval Overture, Sorceress, The Romantic Warrior & the vibrant Duel Of The Jester & The Tyrant are exactly off the charts with musical genius flowing everywhere. 2 songs I should likewise get upwardly that are cracking inwards they're ain correct are The Magician & Majestic Dance, for this really argue this wonderful collection of music gets an slow five star review.
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Tracks Listing:
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)
Personnel:
Al Di Meola – electrical guitars, acoustic guitar, soprano guitar, handbells, slide whistle
Chick Corea – acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes, Hohner Clavinet, Mini Moog, Moog 15, Micromoog, ARP Odyssey, Yamaha YC45d organ, Polymoog, marimba, percussion
Stanley Clarke – Alembic bass with Instant Flanger, piccolo bass, acoustic bass, bell tree, handbells.
Lenny White – drums, timpani, congas, timbales, handbells, snare drum, suspended cymbals, alert clock
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