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

Condition: Used

Media Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

Sleeve Condition: Near Mint (NM)

Condition Notes:

Romantic Warrior by Return To Forever.

Few albums in the fusion canon burn quite as brightly as "Romantic Warrior," the record where Return To Forever pushed their blend of virtuosity and imagination to its grandest heights. This is music of castles and quests, of sorcerers and jesters, delivered by four musicians operating at the absolute peak of their considerable powers. The concept threads through every track, from the sweeping opening of "Medieval Overture" to the theatrical two part finale, giving the whole set a cinematic sense of drama that still feels vivid decades on.

At the keyboard, Chick Corea presides over a formidable arsenal. His credits read like a synthesizer museum, spanning the Mini Moog, Moog 15, Micro Mini Moog, ARP Odyssey, and Polymoog, alongside Fender Rhodes, Honer clavinet, Yamaha organ, and acoustic piano. He rounds it out with marimba and percussion, coloring pieces like "Sorceress" and "The Magician" with textures that shift from stately to electric in an instant.

Stanley Clarke is his equal on the low end, moving fluidly between an Alembic electric bass fitted with an Instant Flanger, a piccolo bass, and acoustic double bass. His playing gives "Majestic Dance" its irresistible propulsion, while touches of bell tree and hand bells add a lighter, almost ceremonial shimmer to the arrangements.

Al Di Meola brings the fire, weaving electric, acoustic, and soprano guitar lines with the kind of speed and precision that made him a legend. His interplay across the title track "The Romantic Warrior" is a masterclass in melodic invention, and even a slide whistle finds its place in the group's playful, detail rich sound world. Behind it all, Lenny White anchors the band with an expansive kit that reaches beyond drums to timpani, congas, timbales, snare, suspended cymbals, and, memorably, an alarm clock, proving that no sound was too unusual for this ambitious quartet.

The album stands as a true group effort, with Corea producing and Clarke, Di Meola, and White each lending a hand as assistant producers, the whole undertaken in coordination with Forever Unlimited Productions. That collective spirit comes through in the dazzling ensemble passages, where four distinct voices lock together into something larger than the sum of its parts. Wilson McLean's cover painting completes the fantasy, its imagery a perfect visual companion to the sound within.

This is the 1980's reissue, with a front cover that looks identical to the original LP. Collectors should note that a similar late 1970's version exists without a barcode. A cornerstone of any serious fusion collection, "Romantic Warrior" rewards repeated spins with new details each time.

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

Notes:
Produced in coordination with Forever Unlimited Productions.
1980's reissue, front cover looks identical to original LP.

Another similar version exists from late 1970's with [url=http://www.discogs.com/Return-To-Forever-Romantic-Warrior/release/3689161]no barcode[/url]

Artist: Return To Forever

Format: 1LP

Genre: Jazz

Label: Columbia

Catalog Number: PC 34076

Release Year: 1984

Country: United States