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Chick Corea – Return To Forever – ECM Records

by Audiophile Audition | Aug 7, 2018 | Jazz CD Reviews, SACD & Other Hi-Res Reviews

A landmark in Jazz Fusion is released on audiophile vinyl. Chick Corea – Return To Forever – ECM Records ECM 1022 (1972/2018) 180-gram stereo vinyl, 46:48 *****: (Chick Corea – electric piano; Joe Farrell – soprano saxophone, flute; Flora Purim – vocals, percussion; Stan Clark – electric bass; double bass; Airto Moreira – drums, percussion) Jazz Fusion became a controversial musical form in the late 1960’s. Eschewing traditional instrumentation (double bass, acoustic piano, drums), this genre integrated jazz improvisation and harmony with r & b, funk and rock music. At times the music explored unique chord progressions, rhythms and unusual counterpoints. Sometimes the music was predicated on a basic groove that led into a sustained vamp. Either way, Jazz Fusion was noted for extended jams that often included elements of woodwinds and brass. One of the pioneers was Miles Davis. Bitches Brew (1970) became the epitome of fusion. Musicians like Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Wayne Shorter, Joe Zawinul, John McLaughlin and Chick Corea carried on this new era in bands like Mahavishnu Orchestra, Headhunters, and Return To Forever. Chick Corea was another pioneer of Jazz Fusion. The Massachusetts native was influenced by his trumpeter father, especially in bebop jazz. At […]