Romantic Warrior - Return To Forever (1976) (1LP Vinyl, 1st press) - Very Good Plus (VG+)

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Condition Notes:

Romantic Warrior by Return To Forever.

Few records in the fusion canon carry the sheer ambition of Return To Forever's "Romantic Warrior." Released in 1976 on CBS, this is the album where Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Al Di Meola, and Lenny White reached for something grand: a suite of pieces steeped in imagery of knights, sorcerers, magicians, and jesters, played with the kind of virtuosity that made this lineup legendary. From the opening fanfare of "Medieval Overture" through the closing "Duel Of The Jester And The Tyrant," the record moves like a story told entirely in sound.

The arsenal these four musicians brought to the sessions is staggering. Chick Corea, who produced the album, layers acoustic piano and Fender Rhodes against a battery of synthesizers that reads like a survey of mid-seventies electronic music: Mini Moog, Moog 15, Micro Mini Moog, Arp Odyssey, Polymoog, plus Yamaha organ, Honer clavinet, marimba, and percussion. It is the sound of a keyboardist treating the studio as an orchestra unto itself, coloring pieces like "Sorceress" and "The Magician" with shifting textures.

Stanley Clarke anchors the whole enterprise with an equally varied low end, reaching for his Alembic bass with instant flanger, a piccolo bass, and acoustic double bass, and adding bell tree and hand bells for atmosphere. Al Di Meola's guitar work, spanning electric, acoustic, and soprano guitar, delivers the fire this band was known for, while he too contributes hand bells and even a slide whistle to the theatrical mix. Lenny White rounds out the rhythmic foundation on drums, timpani, congas, timbales, snare, suspended cymbals, hand bells, and, in a wink to the album's playful edge, an alarm clock. All four are credited as assistant producers, a mark of how collaborative and hands-on these sessions were.

The presentation matches the music's regal concept. Wilson McLean's cover painting sets the tone with its storybook warrior imagery, and the custom printed inner sleeve extends the experience further, carrying "The Romantic Warrior" poem alongside the credits on one side and the RTF logo on the other. It is a package designed to be lived with, read, and returned to.

This is a first pressing, distinguished by the slightly different track durations printed on the labels for "Medieval Overture," "Majestic Dance," and "The Magician." Repressings show altered times, such as an A1 reading of 5:15 where the first pressing lists 5:14, so collectors who care about origin points will want to note the detail. Produced in coordination with Forever Unlimited Productions, with all selections ASCAP except where noted, and carrying the 1976 CBS Inc. copyright, it remains a cornerstone of any serious fusion collection.

Pressing Details:
Track Listing:
A1. Medieval Overture
A2. Sorceress
A3. The Romantic Warrior
B1. Majestic Dance
B2. The Magician
B3. Duel Of The Jester And The Tyrant (Part I & Part II)

Credits:
Wilson McLean - Artwork [Cover Painting]
Lenny White - Producer [Assistant], Drums, Timpani, Congas, Timbales, Handbell [Hand Bells], Snare [Snare Drum], Cymbal [Suspended Cymbals], Performer [Alarm Clock]
Stanley Clarke - Producer [Assistant], Electric Bass [Alembic Bass With Instant Flanger], Bass [Piccolo Bass], Double Bass [Acoustic Bass], Bell Tree, Handbell [Hand Bells]
Al Di Meola - Producer [Assistant], Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Guitar [Soprano], Handbell [Hand Bells], Slide Whistle
Chick Corea - Producer, Piano [Acoustic], Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Clavinet [Honer], Synthesizer [Mini Moog, Moog 15, Micro Mini Moog, Arp Odyssey, Yamaha Organ, Polymoog], Marimba, Percussion

Notes:
1st pressing with slightly different track durations on A1, B1, B2 on labels (ie: A1 5:14 versus repressing showing 5:15).

Custom printed inner sleeve with "The Romantic Warrior" poem and credits one side, RTF logo other side.
Produced in coordination with Forever Unlimited Productions.
All selections ASCAP except where noted.
© 1976 CBS Inc. / ℗ 1976 CBS Inc.

Artist: Return To Forever

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Columbia

Catalog Number: PC 34076

Release Year: 1976

Country: United States