Return to Forever - Romantic Warrior

Originally released in 1976, Return To Forever's Romantic Warrior could be described as the high-water mark of jazz fusion's commercial popularity, reaching a spot on the Billboard charts and garnering the group a fanatical following of fans attracted to the band's technical prowess and bombast. Released on the heels of the breakup of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Romantic Warrior still sounds like a standard-bearer for jazz fusion, full of flashy solos and complicated arrangements that seem like collages of different moods, meters, and tempos. The album is much closer to the progressive rock of Yes, Emerson Lake & Palmer, or King Crimson than anything from the jazz realm. Return to Forever's rhythm team of bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White, who gives the group a subtly funkier sound than most of their contemporaries. Still, it's pianist Chick Corea, using a veritable arsenal of keyboards and effects, and guitarist Al DiMeola, only 21 at the time of this recording, who define Romantic Warrior as a fusion landmark. This reissued edition comes with improved sound and a brief reminiscence by Corea in the liner notes. --Ezra Gale Amazon.com

Bottom line...this is cerebral music that rocks!

Honestly, there are so many well-written and informative reviews already written here, there is little that I can add. But one of the many outstanding things about Romantic Warrior is how 'not dated' the music sounds...especially when you consider that this is jazz fusion from 1976. But in reality, this is much closer to prog-rock rather than jazz. If you are a fan of progressive rock or jam bands, than by all means, pick this up. The virtuosity of this all-star quartet is absolutely stunning. The song structures are challenging and imaginative. Bottom line...this is cerebral music that rocks! August 16, 2008

The ultimate RTF album

This album is the most elaborate and mature of all the RTF albums, where each of these world class artists display their phenomenal qualities as musicians, composers and entertainers. This album is definitely more progressive rock than jazz in its project of fusion. Other RTF albums have more a latin influence, though there are moments here and there where it can be heard. This is one of my top five favorite albums, it is an exciting sonic experience! August 10, 2008

Classic Chick Corea

Return to Forever's Romantic Warrior is a fantastic album. Stanley Clarke has become one of my favorite bass players after hearing this and other Return to Forever albums. He lays down a great bass line in Sorceress around 2 minutes into the song that made for a great jam. Chick Corea's solo on romantic Warrior is something special. What I think makes this album so great is how easily the band can move from one idea to the next without disrupting the flow of the music. I highly recommend this to jazz and funk fans. It might be Return to Forever's best album. July 2, 2008

Awesome album.

Romantic Warrior is the best jazz fusion album out there. My father got me into Return To Forever, and a last week, he took me to a concert of theirs as a birthday present. They are doing a reunion tour (Corea, White, Di Meola, and Clarke, as the lineup). I actually got a backstage pass, and finally met the band (exept Chick Corea, who was having problems with the keyboards, and actually did have a little trouble during the show). They are so cool. Al Di Meola is so laid back. Lenny White is very cool, and friendly. He had a cold, so we bumped elbows, instead of shaking hands. Stanley Clarke is also pretty cool. He's really funny. We got to see them tune their instruments, and rehearse. We got to see the reheasal, and during the reheasal the band played, got into a jam, and Clarke, playing his double bass, finally took out a bow, and deliberately ran it hard against the strings, making a screeching sound. Everybody in the group couldn't stop laughing. The concert was the best one I've ever seen. They played numerous songs from Romantic Warrior, Where have I known You before, and No Mystery, lasting over 3 hours. Clarke did a 20 minute bass solo, and White did a 15 minute drum solo. Di Meola was lightning fast on the guitar throughout the show. So the next day I bought Romantic Warrior. It is probably the best jazz album I've ever listened to. I would recommend it to anyone. June 27, 2008

rock fusion

This is classic fusion which leans more towards the rock sound. It's like the music from Rush with more electronica and jazz riffs mixed in. January 21, 2008

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