The Anthology | Return to Forever

The Anthology | Return to Forever | FUSION POWERHOUSE

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The Anthology

	The Anthology Return to Forever Concord Records, 2008 average customer review:based on 18 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Stunning

This collection of songs is from the electric days (1973 - 1976) of RTF. Nothing is presented from their first two albums or final release. Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke personally selected the songs for this 2-disc anthology, two hours and twenty-nine minutes of music presented in chronological order, and it is spectacular. "Romantic Warrior" is one of my favorite fusion albums and on this collection it is presented in its entirety, as well as the entire "Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy", another killer album that I haven't listened to in a long time. "Where Have I Known You Before" and "No Mystery" each have four of the best songs pulled from them.

Everything has been remixed and remastered and it sounds killer. I was worried the sound would be butchered like it has been for a lot of remastered discs. But this was done with care. The muddiness has been reduced but the lows are still punchy, and the overall volume and highs are not cranked to the point of insanity. Well done! The liner notes include a history of RTF, each band member provides some insights, and there are some cool photos. Highly recommended, and I hope they film some of the 2008 shows and release a DVD.

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FUSION POWERHOUSE

I have most if not all of these tracks already but will be ordering this disc soon. I have a ticket to see the band in August. I have already seen this lineup 5 times back in their heyday. This is the classic RTF lineup, at least for most people. This is the band that opened my eyes to the great world of fusion music with their superb Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy album back in the day. If you don't have any of their music this is quite a good place to start. For me (and many others) these guys were one of the seminal fusion bands of their day. Real musicians playing intelligent, well crafted and executed compositions. I realize fusion is not everyone's cup of tea but in a music world filled with simplistic loop driven 'music' I will gladly take this every time. Get this and enjoy some of the best musicians around and challenge the musical side of your brain.
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Buy the CD... See the show!

I received my CDs the day before I left for a 3 city, 4 day RTF road trip. The sound quality is amazing, the track selection and placement on the CD flows beautifully. After 700 miles in the car listening to the CDs and 4 days of 3 hour concerts, I still can't get enough!

Almost there....

A great collection of RTF, but its missing the first incarnation of the band, making it not quite an Anthology, more like a "Best of the Later Years". Still some awesome Fusion/Jazz veering towards Rock. But skipping "Light as A Feather" (IMO their best album) makes this a tad misleading. 3 STARS but get Light as A Feather for full effect.

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reviews: 1, 2, page 3, 4

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