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