Recorded xi months afterward Chick Corea's astounding "Return to Forever" in addition to 3 months afterward his groundbreaking "Light as a Feather", band mate Stan (aka Stanley) Clarke recorded this as classic jewel "Children of Forever" inwards Dec of 1972 alongside a slightly dissimilar supporting cast. Stanley played upright bass throughout alongside Chick on keys, Lenny White on drums, Joe Farell on winds, Pat Martino playing guitar alongside the jazzy in addition to soulful twain of Dee Dee Bridgewater in addition to the incomparable Andy Bey treatment the vocals. It is an outstanding journeying from the championship runway to the epic "Sea Journeys" that concludes the work. Of banknote are the incredible compositions "Children of Forever", "Unexpected Days", in addition to "Butterfly Dreams."
"Children of Forever" starts as a soul-infused mid tempo song that chop-chop explodes into a hefty upright bass in addition to keyboard workout alongside Dee Dee on the left channel in addition to Andy on the right. Beautifully sung in addition to played it sounds as though this was a recording of a alive functioning of a band precisely starting to define its identity. Well executed, swinging alongside an oculus towards gospel in addition to soul sounds.
"Unexpected Days" contains a strikingly beautiful in addition to uplifting tune that at 2 moments reaches a crescendo alongside an incredible harmony from the squad of Bridgewater in addition to Bey. Clarke precisely rips, Corea is first-class as ever in addition to Pat Martino's fills are heavenly. Lenny White was a tasteful compliment to Clarke & Corea in addition to Joe Farrell provided an first-class solo to gibe Chick. The lyrics, tune in addition to the climactic harmonies are what acquit this beautiful composition, the trouble "vibrations loves noise are thence potent straightaway clear in addition to potent now!..." in addition to the harmony betwixt Bridgewater in addition to Bey are unforgettable in addition to rattling much define the jazz-soul-fusion audio of the early on 1970s.
"Butterfly Dreams" is absolutely similar beingness shot into sky alongside BOSE headphones over both ears! Achingly beautiful lyrics virtually the magic of beingness a nipper in addition to how nosotros lose that magic alongside every twelvemonth nosotros historic menstruum sincerely conveyed past times Andy Bey's incredibly warm in addition to bright phrasings. White, Clarke, in addition to Corea lay a precise foundation for Farrell's flute, Martino's guitar solo in addition to Bey's vocals. The slice concludes alongside Clarke's nonetheless impressive in addition to stellar upright bass conversation.
"Bass Folk Song" in addition to "Sea Journey" are both wonderful pieces. The latter is a prototypical Return to Forever workout alongside the add-on of Bridgewater's fluid song stylings, Corea's lyrical keys in addition to aggressive solos from most of the band typical of what this mega-group would make inwards a to a greater extent than amplified in addition to fifty-fifty to a greater extent than aggressive fashion throughout the 1970s. This is fusion-soul-jazz from 1 of the most influential American bands of the concluding twoscore years alongside absolutely stunning vocals from internationally respected in addition to admired vocalists Andy Bey in addition to DeeDee Bridgewater who helped usher inwards the twelvemonth of "Forever" which was 1972! Led past times Stanley Clarke but rattling much 1 of the showtime 3 Return to Forever albums, this 1 is a to a greater extent than than worthwhile add-on to your jazz collection, first-class for seasoned aficionados yet rubber for "newbies" who desire to expand their jazz palate!
Still rattling much an intragal part of Return To Forever "Stan" Clarke (as Stanley is credited here) decided to postulate maintain a plough at....well at whatsoever charge per unit of measurement a recording credited to his ain name. But basically this recording ends upwards beingness similar around other lineup of RTF including Chick Corea,Lenny White,Dee Dee Bridgewater in addition to the vocals of Andy Bey. Now fifty-fifty though this album features plenty of Corea's electrical pianoforte playing this is actually a rattling improvisational,very latin inflected insturmental jazz album. Stanley Clarke is featured on electrical bass on "Bass Folk Song" but fifty-fifty on that his fashion is to a greater extent than vamping in addition to subdued;there are none of the rockier in addition to funkier elements institute on theStanley Clarke album the next year. The strongest runway hither is the championship track-Bey's vocals are the best part really. If at that topographic point is flaw inwards this album is that inwards 1973 Stanley Clarke had non yet forged an private identity exterior of RTF-he was attention to purpose the same musicians in addition to forged a rattling similar sound. So most of the fourth dimension this album tin precisely as much last considered an extention of Return to Forever in addition to Light as a Feather as it is a solo debut. My personal persuasion is that musical individuality is of import in addition to spell this is a wonderful,five star album it is non ammong this particular artists most distintive. While Stanley's devotion to Chick Corea at the fourth dimension was admirable,as most musicians travel out their sometime band leaders rather thanklessly,he precisely wasn't able to focus plenty on his science in addition to fashion as a bass player. But that over again past times no way is an indication this is weak music in addition to no argue non to alternative it up.
This music is exciting in addition to deep! dot blank!,anyone who cant dig this music does'nt follow the entire Stanley Clarke catalog in addition to may alone last interested inwards the mid 70's Bass Funk audio in addition to cant teach past times anything else.This free captures the spirit of the early on Return To Forever alongside ease. Dee Dee Bridgewater showcases impressive vocals on the set,and Pat Martino(oddly 1 contributor wrote that he was upset alongside Martino's add-on on this album)performs alongside smoothen "coolness" in addition to pours out the Philly audio alongside Brotherly accuracy. Many people seemed to last stuck on Al DiMeola because he was such a immature in addition to thrilling guitarist,but in 1 trial to a greater extent than anyone who knows the entire Return To Forever sense volition know that Al was'nt the master copy guitarist! in addition to theirs ever room for alternate improvisations!..in other words to borrow the words of George Clinton "Free Your Mind in addition to Your Ass volition Follow' This session jams!!!
Track listing
All tracks composed past times Stanley Clarke in addition to lyrics written past times Neville Potter; except where indicated
1. "Children of Forever" – 10:42
2. "Unexpected Days" – 5:53
3. "Bass Folk Song" (Clarke) – 7:59
4. "Butterfly Dreams" – 6:52
5. "Sea Journey" (Chick Corea, Neville Potter)– 16:26
Personnel
Stanley Clarke - Bass fiddle, electrical bass
Chick Corea - Electric piano, acoustic piano, clavinette
Lenny White - Drums, tambourine
Pat Martino - Electric Guitar, 12 string guitar
Dee Dee Bridgewater - Vocal
Andy Bey - Vocal
Arthur Webb - Flute
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