Return to Forever is a jazz fusion album by Chick Corea recorded over two days in February 1972 and released on ECM September that same year—Corea's fourth release for the label. It is the debut of a quintet featuring singer Flora Purim, flautist/saxophonist Joe Farrell, bassist Stanley Clarke and percussionist Airto Moreira, who would go on to record under the name Return to Forever.
| Return to Forever | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 1972 (Germany, Japan) 1975 (US) | |||
| Recorded | February 2–3, 1972 | |||
| Studio | A & R Studios New York City | |||
| Genre | Jazz fusion | |||
| Length | 46:48 | |||
| Label | ECM ECM 1022 ST | |||
| Producer | Manfred Eicher | |||
| Chick Corea chronology | ||||
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| Return to Forever chronology | ||||
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| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |  [1] |
| The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide | [2] |
| The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings | [3] |
Background edit
On March 3, 1972, saxophonist Stan Getz recorded an early version of "La Fiesta" for Captain Marvel (1974), backed by Corea, Clarke and Moreira along with drummer Tony Williams. The composition would become the middle section of the album's B-side, "Sometime Ago – La Fiesta" a full version of which can be found on the compilation Chick Corea – Selected Recordings (2002).
Purim would go on to sing her part of the medley, "Sometime Ago", on her fifth solo album, Open Your Eyes You Can Fly (1976).
Reception edit
The record is often considered one of the classic albums in electric jazz.[1]
Track listing edit
All music is composed by Chick Corea
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Return to Forever" | 12:06 | |
| 2. | "Crystal Silence" | 6:59 | |
| 3. | "What Game Shall We Play Today" | Neville Potter | 4:30 |
| Total length: | 23:35 | ||
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Sometime Ago – La Fiesta" | Potter | 23:13 |
| Total length: | 23:13 46:48 | ||
Personnel edit
Return to Forever edit
- Chick Corea – Fender Rhodes electric piano
- Flora Purim – vocals, percussion
- Joe Farrell – flute, soprano saxophone
- Stanley Clarke – electric bass guitar (tracks 1-3), double bass (track 4)
- Airto Moreira – drums, percussion
Technical personnel edit
- Manfred Eicher – producer
- Tony May – engineer
- Michael Manoogian – cover photography
Chart performance edit
| Year | Chart | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Billboard Jazz Albums | 8 [4] |
References edit
- ^ a b Huey, Steve (2011). "Chick Corea - Return to Forever (1972) album review | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 3 July 2011.
- ^ Swenson, J., ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide. USA: Random House/Rolling Stone. pp. 50. ISBN 0-394-72643-X.
- ^ Cook, Richard; Morton, Brian (2008). The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings (9th ed.). Penguin. p. 304. ISBN 978-0-141-03401-0.
- ^ "Chick Corea - Return to Forever (1972) | Awards | AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved 27 October 2013.