Tag: Chick Corea

Title: Chick Corea – Return To Forever (1972) [Japan 2017]
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

The legendary first lineup of Chick Corea’s fusion band Return to Forever debuted on this classic album (titled after the group but credited to Corea), featuring Joe Farrell on soprano sax and flute, the Brazilian team of vocalist Flora Purim and drummer/percussionist Airto Moreira, and electric bass whiz Stanley Clarke. It wasn’t actually released in the U.S. until 1975, which was why the group’s second album, Light as a Feather, initially made the Return to Forever name. Nonetheless, Return to Forever is every bit as classic, using a similar blend of spacy electric-piano fusion and Brazilian and Latin rhythms. It’s all very warm, light, and airy, like a soft breeze on a tropical beach – hardly the sort of firebrand approach to fusion that Miles Davis, Tony Williams, and the Mahavishnu Orchestra were exploring, and far less rooted in funk or rock. Corea also bathes the album in an undertone of trippy mysticism, not only in the (admittedly dated) lyrics, but in his cosmic keyboard wanderings, which remain melodic and accessible through most of the record. There’s one genuine pop song in the groovy samba “What Game Shall We Play Today,” and while “Sometime Ago” has similar elements, it’s part of an ambitious side-long medley that features a stream-of-consciousness intro and a jubilant, Spanish/Mexican-style closing section called “La Fiesta,” complete with castanets and flamenco modes. The title track is another multi-sectioned work, featuring Corea and Purim in wordless unison on two different, catchy themes, plus breezy work from Farrell and lots of Brazilian-flavored rhythmic interplay. And the dreamy, meditative “Crystal Silence” is an underrated gem waiting to be rediscovered. Certainly, this edition of Return to Forever wasn’t inclined toward high-voltage jazz-rock (as the next one was), but this group’s two albums still stand as some of the most imaginative and distinctive early fusion recordings.

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Title: Chick Corea – Rendezvous in New York (2003) [2x SACD]
Genre: Jazz
Format: MCH SACD ISO + Hi-Res FLAC

Recorded at The Blue Note, New York, New York in December 2001. This album is destined to be ranked as one of the great live jazz concert albums of all time, right up there with ‘Live at the Village Vanguard’ and ‘Waltz for Debbie’. Rendezvous in New York was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. “Matrix” won for Best Jazz Instrumental Solo. “Armando’s Rhumba” was nominated for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists.

One of Chick Corea’s most ambitious projects was the recording of almost 60 hours of music with nine different groups over a three-week run at the Blue Note in December 2001; it must have been a challenge to choose the dozen performances for this two-CD set. The first disc begins with scat singer par excellence Bobby McFerrin joining the pianist to scat his way through three selections, including a stunning medley of an excerpt from Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez” and Corea’s “Spain.” Bassist Miroslav Vitous and ageless drummer Roy Haynes provide the pulse to his extended work “Matrix.” Corea’s well-crafted tribute to Bud Powell, with Terence Blanchard and Joshua Redman in the front line, combines two of Powell’s greatest works, “Glass Enclosure” and “Tempus Fugit.” But Corea is at his most lyrical when old friend Gary Burton joins him to revisit the pianist’s masterpiece, the shimmering “Crystal Silence.” The second disc is also full of great music, though disc one clearly gets the edge, with the possible exception of the virtuoso duo piano interpretation with Gonzalo Rubalcaba of the same medley performed with McFerrin on the first CD. It is safe to say that no fan of Chick Corea will be disappointed with this wide-ranging compilation of live music, and it is also a great starting point for those not familiar with his voluminous works. Highly recommended.

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Title: Chick Corea – Now He Sings, Now He Sobs (Remastered) (1968/2025)
Genre: Jazz
Format: SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Recorded March 14, 19, and 27, 1968. Limited Edition Hybrid SACD! Featuring ESOTERIC’s Proprietary Re-Mastering Process to Achieve the Highest Level of Sound Quality! Japanese Pressing, Deluxe Digi-pak Packaging, THE Definitive Performance on SACD! Classical masterpiece collection The reissue of classical music masterpieces by ESOTERIC has attracted a lot of attention, both for its uncompromising commitment to recreating the original master sound, and for using hybrid Super Audio CD technology to improve sound quality. This series marks the first hybrid Super Audio CD release of historical recording selections that have been mainstays of the catalog since their initial release. These new audio versions feature ESOTERIC’s proprietary re mastering process to achieve the highest level of sound quality.

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