Search - Chick Corea & Return to Forever :: Return to the 7th Galaxy

A Very Good Overview

Oliver Towne | Riverside, CA United States | 09/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Let's say you got rid of your LP collection sometime in the '80s and now you're thinking about replacing those lost RTF albums, but you're not sure if you want to buy them all. Well, this compilation makes a very good substitute. Most of the band's albums are covered, starting with the eponymous 1972 debut and ending with "No Mystery." I'm not sure I agree with the decision to include the live radio versions of 'Spain,''After The Cosmic Rain,' and 'Bass Folk Song,' as the sound quality is somewhat poor, but, on the other hand, where else can you hear rare tracks featuring Steve Gadd and Mingo Lewis? It's probably worth having this glimpse into the group's evolution, as well as the intensity of their live performances. But as the previous reviewer says, the real gold is on Disc Two, with its generous portions of "Where Have I Known You Before?" and "No Mystery."If you're familiar with RTF and are simply rebuilding your collection, buying this along with "Romantic Warrior" will cover a lot of ground. If this is your first experience with 1970s fusion, you might be better off buying one of the following CDs: Rockers, check out the original "Hymn Of The Seventh Galaxy" album and work your way forward. Jazz fans, try the very first album, or "Light As A Feather," and then move on to "Where Have I known You Before?" There's quite a difference between the various incarnations of RTF and not everyone is going to like everything, but I'm betting you will like one or the other."

Great collection of early 70s RTF!!!

Oliver Towne | 06/26/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having only previously owned 'Romantic Warrior', I didn't know quite what to expect of this set. The first disc has three cuts from a guitar-less RTF that are only slighlty less enjoyable due to some dated vocals. There are 3 live tracks with Bill Connors on guitar, great stuff no question. The best is saved for last though, disc two is the classic Corea/Clarke/DiMeola/White line-up. Fantastic jazz-rock that is still far ahead of much music recorded today. Overall, a great collection if don't already own the Polygram RTF discs."

Jazz Fusion at it's finest!!!

Modbeat1964 | USA | 04/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While I must admit that "Romantic Warrior" is a good listen, any REAL fusion lover will automatically know that this was definitely the beginning of the more "COMMERCIAL" sounding and/or "more easy listening" fusion that led the pack for so many BAD fusion acts to come. Diehard RTF fans definitely have WHERE HAVE I KNOWN YOU BEFORE and NO MYSTERY as their all-time faves. But don't get me wrong, I love all the RTF records. I just happen to have my own favorites. However, I totally disagree with the other reviews that sensationalize "Romantic Warrior" as the ultimate RTF record. Here's my advice: If you don't own any RTF music, then start here with the best of the best. In my opinion, the best RTF stuff is the mid-period years (74-75). What is disguised as FUSION nowadays is enough to make me want to vomit. HOORAY for the days when FUSION wasn't used as another name for SMOOTH "easy-listening music for the dentist office" JAZZ."