Romantic Warrior

by Return to Forever

Overview

The most popular and successful lineup of Return to Forever -- Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White, and Al Di Meola -- was coming off the Grammy-winning No Mystery when it recorded its third and final album, Romantic Warrior. It has been suggested that in employing a medieval album cover (drawn by Wilson McLean), using titles like "Medieval Overture" and "Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant," and occasionally playing in a baroque style, particularly in Clarke's "The Magician," Corea was responding to Rick Wakeman's successful string of albums on similar themes. Certainly, the music suggests that the musicians have been listening to Wakeman's band, Yes, among other progressive rock groups. But they bring more of a traditional jazz approach to their sound, particularly in the opening statement of intent "Medieval Overture" and the original side one closer, "The Romantic Warrior," both of which feature extensive acoustic piano soloing by Corea. The original side two -- Di Meola's "Majestic Dance," "The Magician," and "Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant" -- is much more in a jazz-rock style, with Di Meola particularly rocking out on extensive, fast-paced electric guitar solos. Meanwhile, the rhythm section of Clarke and White is always extremely busy, maintaining a funky, driving pulse and several cross rhythms no matter what's going on above it. This is particularly noticeable, naturally, on White's sole composition, "Sorceress," but it continues to keep the music in the fusion camp even when Corea is sounding like a more traditional jazz pianist. Romantic Warrior is the sound of a mature band at the top of its game, which may help explain why it was Return to Forever's most popular album, eventually certified as a gold record, and the last by this assemblage. Having expressed themselves this well, they decided it was time for them to move on. ~ William Ruhlmann

Product Details

Release Date:	10/18/1999
Label:	Legacy
UPC:	5099706552420

Tracks

1. Medieval Overture
2. Sorceress
3. Romantic Warrior
4. Majestic Dance
5. Magician
6. Duel of the Jester and the Tyrant

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Return to Forever   Primary Artist
Stanley Clarke   Handbells,Piccolo Bass,Bass (Acoustic),Bass (Electric),Bass,Bells,Piccolo,Bell Tree
Organ   Marimba,Polymoog,Percussion
Chick Corea   Organ,Piano,Clavinet,Keyboards,Mini Moog,Percussion,Arp Odyssey,Fender Rhodes,ARP Synthesizer,Moog Synthesizer
Lenny White   Bells,Drums,Congas,Cymbals,Timpani,Timbales,Handbells,Alarm Clock,Drums (Snare),Suspended Cymbals
Al Di Meola   Bells,Guitar,Handbells,Slide Whistle,Guitar (Soprano),Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Whistle (Instrument)

Technical Credits

Stanley Clarke   Assistant Producer,Composer
Steven Berkowitz   A&R
Bob Belden   Reissue Producer
Chick Corea   Composer,Producer
John Jackson   Production Assistant
Dennis MacKay   Engineer,Remixing
Lenny White   Composer,Assistant Producer
Mark Wilder   Remastering,Digital Remastering
Organ   Liner Notes
Seth Rothstein   Project Director
Patti Matheny   A&R
Howard Fritzson   Reissue Art Director
John Swenson   Liner Notes
Gerard Huerta   Artwork
Amy Herto   Digital Producer
Tom Likes   Assistant Engineer
Tony Tiller   Package Coordinator
Randall Martin   Reissue Design
Wilson McLean   Artwork,Cover Art,Illustrations
Al Di Meola   Composer,Assistant Producer