Well, definitive if you don’t include his first two solo albums, especially Children of Forever, nor his early soundtracks, and if you feel Clarke’s career stopped in 1990 which is when this compilation covering Epic and Nemperor releases grinds to a halt. Over recent decades Clarke has variously revived a relationship with the bull fiddle, solo performance, RTF, Chick Corea and acoustic trios so this ‘Definitive’ collection feels a little premature. So what have we got? Jazz and fusion fans will find the early section of the first CD the most intriguing, including the two part ‘Concerto for Jazz/ Rock Orchestra’ which, as the title suggests, lacks nothing in ambition; but beneath the pomp and not much circumstance it remains an intriguing, virtuosic reflection of the times. There are three cuts from Clarke’s jazz/rock smash, School Days, including the epic title-track which I defy even the most fusion phobic listener not to thrill to. But by the early 1980s Clarke, of his own admission, had long left the jazz world; he was mixing ego-dripping studio experimentation with live support for rock acts like Uriah Heep, so he was neither very jazz nor very ’umble. He was also striving for a pop hit; material like ‘Together Again’ makes The Archies sound like Eric Dolphy. Some of the master sidemen on board of course catch the ear, and the collaborations with George Duke are always a masterclass, but this is way away from the definitive Clarke.