Return To Forever Anthology

[KJung]

Just arrived today.... completely remastered complete recordings of:

- Hymn of the Seventh Galazy
- Where Have I Known you Before
- No Mystery
- Romantic Warrior

I'm usually underwhelmed with remasters, but not this one. To my ear, it's simply amazing sounding... clear, wide, bass sounds great... MUCH better than the original recordings of the first couple albums, and a nice 'tweak' to the later stuff.

I don't really need to hear this era of fusion (the 'founding fathers' era) much anymore, but it is something for those too young to remember it the first time around.

Highly recommended version of these four influential disc's IMO!

[narud]

uhg, i gotta buy more remasters.

my dad listened to this fusion stuff when i was growing up so ive been listening to these albums for over 20 years (kind of weird to say considering im 27 ) but i still listen to the same albums after all these years. they havent lost their appeal yet.

Originally Posted by KJung

Just arrived today.... completely remastered complete recordings of:

- Hymn of the Seventh Galazy
- Where Have I Known you Before
- No Mystery
- Romantic Warrior

I'm usually underwhelmed with remasters, but not this one. To my ear, it's simply amazing sounding... clear, wide, bass sounds great... MUCH better than the original recordings of the first couple albums, and a nice 'tweak' to the later stuff.

I don't really need to hear this era of fusion (the 'founding fathers' era) much anymore, but it is something for those too young to remember it the first time around.

Highly recommended version of these four influential disc's IMO!

[jerry]

Those album were on different labels at the time, it's nice tey were able to get them out in one collection. They should to a bigger box set and include the Flora Purim/Airto discs too. They were a important part of the RTF lineage*. IMHO




*it's ok to leave out the Musicmagic era tho

[Rhythm5]

Romantic Warrior is one of my all time favorite albums. Light years ahead of its time...even today! Thanks for the tip!

[KJung]

Originally Posted by jerry

Those album were on different labels at the time, it's nice tey were able to get them out in one collection. They should to a bigger box set and include the Flora Purim/Airto discs too. They were a important part of the RTF lineage*. IMHO




*it's ok to leave out the Musicmagic era tho

First... a big +1 to letting Musicmagic in the dustbin... whoo, that is not a good thing!

I think this anthology was primarily put out as a companion to the just started 'Return to Forever' reunion tour, which is Stanley, Al, Lenny and Chick. So, they focused on that era of band (even though Bill Conners was on the earliest recording, it still has that 'rock/fusion' feel versus the earlier Purim/Airto incarnation.

That being said, all the players give big props to Flora, Bill, etc. in the liner notes.... nice!

The booklet is pretty cool.... some very cool pictures of the original tours.

K

[dannster]

Woah! Cool stuff. I'm ordering mine now.
Just when you think your close to having heard everything.........

[kazamamaster]

Originally Posted by KJung

First... a big +1 to letting Musicmagic in the dustbin... whoo, that is not a good thing!

I think this anthology was primarily put out as a companion to the just started 'Return to Forever' reunion tour, which is Stanley, Al, Lenny and Chick. So, they focused on that era of band (even though Bill Conners was on the earliest recording, it still has that 'rock/fusion' feel versus the earlier Purim/Airto incarnation.

That being said, all the players give big props to Flora, Bill, etc. in the liner notes.... nice!

The booklet is pretty cool.... some very cool pictures of the original tours.

K

Hey watch it! I liked Musicmagic......

[KJung]

Originally Posted by kazamamaster

Hey watch it! I liked Musicmagic......

Man, Gayle Moran is NOT my cup of tea (no offense to Chick... I'm sure she's a nice person).

I did see that tour with Gerry Brown on drums, and Joe Ferral in the horn section. It was quite a letdown from the previous Romantic Warrior tour IMO and IME! Gerry Brown was thumpin' though, with that big 'North' drum set. We didn't know what that heck that was at the time.

[jerry]

I saw the Musicmagic tour the year after the Romantic Warrior tour too, it was....er...a..different. I have the CDs from that tour and dug the horns, and just thought it would have been better if they went out under a different name than RTF. It was too radical of a change! IMHO



p.s. I'm a big fan of Gerry Brown!

[StanFan]

Is this anthology a recent re-release or is it from a few years back? Either way I'd like to get my hands on it one day.

[jerry]

Originally Posted by StanFan

Is this anthology a recent re-release or is it from a few years back? Either way I'd like to get my hands on it one day.

It's a newer one, they did one a few years back that did not include Romantic Warrior. It did have a very cool version of RTF with Steve Gadd and Bill Connors tearing up a live Spain.

[burk48237]

Did they include "Leprechaun" as a bonus track?

I really love the solo's on "Where have I Known You Before". That might be the first fusion album I ever purchased back in the day.

[lyle]

seeing RTF in a week.