Return To Forever: The Mothership Has Landed

Rating: ★★★

Record and Artist Details

Musicians:

Lenny White (syn)
Chick Corea (p)
Frank Gambale (g)
Stanley Clarke (b)
Jean-Luc Ponty (vn)

Label:

Eagle Rock

Dec/Jan/2012/2013

Catalogue Number:

EDGCD485 2CD+DVD

RecordDate:

date not stated

Strewth, you get your money's worth at least! As well as the now statutory live double CD of this fourth version of RTF there's a DVD with about 40-minutes of live material and a documentary based around interviews with the band. Gambale's introduction to the band is fairly organic, not surprisingly, as he spent 13 years or thereabouts with Corea's Elektric band. He makes no attempt to replicate di Meola's bullish attack, which for many will always be the sound of RTF. But he can seamlessly weave in and out of Corea's keys, and Corea revels in this almost twin lead combo. But it's Ponty who brings a fresh energy to what sometimes sounds tired material, notably with the dark hues he brings to ‘After The Cosmic Rain’. Quite how much blood can be wrung further from the RTF stone is questionable, but the legions of devotees will enjoy this feast of things Forever.

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