Return to Forever in Bloomington, MN

The legendary first lineup of
Chick Corea
's
fusion
band
Return to Forever
debuted on this classic album (titled after the group but credited to
Corea
), featuring
Joe Farrell
on soprano sax and flute, the Brazilian team of vocalist
Flora Purim
and drummer/percussionist
Airto Moreira
, and electric bass whiz
Stanley Clarke
. It wasn't actually released in the U.S. until 1975, which was why the group's second album,
Light as a Feather
, initially made the
name. Nonetheless,
is every bit as classic, using a similar blend of spacy electric-piano
and Brazilian and
Latin
rhythms. It's all very warm, light, and airy, like a soft breeze on a tropical beach -- hardly the sort of firebrand approach to
that
Miles Davis
,
Tony Williams
, and
the Mahavishnu Orchestra
were exploring, and far less rooted in
funk
or
rock
.
also bathes the album in an undertone of trippy mysticism, not only in the (admittedly dated) lyrics, but in his cosmic keyboard wanderings, which remain melodic and accessible through most of the record. There's one genuine
pop
song in the groovy
samba
"What Game Shall We Play Today,"
and while
"Sometime Ago"
has similar elements, it's part of an ambitious side-long medley that features a stream-of-consciousness intro and a jubilant, Spanish/Mexican-style closing section called
"La Fiesta,"
complete with castanets and
flamenco
modes. The title track is another multi-sectioned work, featuring
and
Purim
in wordless unison on two different, catchy themes, plus breezy work from
Farrell
and lots of Brazilian-flavored rhythmic interplay. And the dreamy, meditative
"Crystal Silence"
is an underrated gem waiting to be rediscovered. Certainly, this edition of
wasn't inclined toward high-voltage
jazz-rock
(as the next one was), but this group's two albums still stand as some of the most imaginative and distinctive early
recordings. ~ Steve Huey