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20-bit, remastered, re-release! Return To Forever: Romantic Warrior (CD, 45:36); Columbia/Legacy CK 65524, 1976/1999
Columbia Records
550 Madison Avenue
New York, NY, 10022-3211 USA
Cyberhome: http://www.legacyrecordings.com
I sit here, exhausted after a long day of yard work, an hour or so of computer troubleshooting,
and outside a 50 mph squall line of severe thunderstorms baptizes day�s end. But all is not fatique
and frenzy -- before me a glass of red wine glows, grilled steak and new red potatoes steam,
candle-lit eyes of my beloved are smiling, and Return to Forever�s re-released Romantic
Warrior breathes nostalgia into our midst. Such intangible bliss and music like this is precisely
what life�s finer experiences is all about.
CD/DVD Shopping Quick Links
CLICK ON ARTIST'S NAME ABOVE OR . . .
Some history first. I remember the sadness I experienced upon hearing Bill Connors had left
RTF and that this flashy Al Di Meola had replaced Connors -- RTF was just not the same. I
essentially shunned them. Even though I continued buying releases, sampling RTF members� solo
offerings, I never heard that same magical fire that Connors had lended. On another front The
Mahavishnu Orchestra fizzled out into fusion confusion. What was happening here? The �70's
fusion-fest seemed to be passing into mundane oblivion or mutating into something worse. Then
this release came along. I was amazed and thrilled. It wasn�t all I expected. It was more. Everyone
on this release performed magically. Jazz rock fusion had reached another pinnacle. Compositions
were unbelievably complex and beautiful, unison lines moving wildly, solos inspired and superb,
and the artistic soulfire was at maximum. RTF was peaking all sysytems.
There was a playful yet forceful punch happening here. Chick Corea�s keys were perfect cool,
Al DiMeola�s guitar voicings, phrasings, and leads awesome, Stanley Clarke�s bass playing went
beyond the mere words� description, and Lenny White�s drums as usual, superbly jazzy grooves.
Also impressive; each member wrote at least one song of the six offered. Amazingly, this release
was 100% cohesive, like movements of varying force in one stream of thought. Nothing was
lacking, nothing was excess, Romantic Warrior remains to this day, a diamond, exuding
flawless beauty. Yes, it grew out of the jazz rock fusion genre but it�s fine art that outlives its hey
day, an example of just how incredibly wonderful fusion can be. Strangely enough, Romantic
Warrior was this incarnation of RTF�s last true hurrah. Nothing else afterwards ever came
close. It was as if RTF was saying goodbye and thank you creating a monument to a fading era, a
waning passion.
For those of you wondering if this remastered, re-release is technologically superior in sound
quality to prior releases and worth grabbing -- listen up. Yes, no doubt about it. For those of you
never even hearing of this until now -- this is a jazz/ jazz fusion fan must-have. It is a unique
classic that never grows old. Like steak and wine by candle light after a long hard day,
Romantic Warrior is a very, very good experience. Highest recommendations.
~ John W. Patterson
Listen to samples & Buy CDs/DVDs here
Watch RTF w/Bill Connors!RETURN TO:
If you are seeking out-of-print and hard-to-find CDs . . .
try my new eBay page where I post CD finds for sale.
"Jazz Fusion Guy" @ eBay pageTo purchase this recording and get more info, soundclips, etc.
Please visit my BUY IT E.E.R. NOW INDEX PAGE
OR...
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buyer's guide to recommended music.
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go to my LINKS page and find the vendors' section.
Happy hunting!
Observe how the word
wheel reverses direction
if you try and read words.
