A bad reminder of music's worse days.

Some might blame Fusion for bringing about such horrible things such as prog-rock and Smooth Jazz. And yes, you can see slight traces of those things in this record. Especially the progressive rock stuff, calling to mind bad memories of Yes, BTO and other lame 70’s bands.

Romantic Warrior by Return to Forever isn’t really a bad record, though. The opening track, Medieval Overture has a very cosmic spacey feel to it, courtesy of Chick Corea’s keyboard playing.

Sorceress stirs up a fairly funky vibe, although it’s nothing bass shattering or booty rocking.

Only on the title track are we presented with anything resembling ‘jazz’. On the tittle track we are presented with a traditional theme and variation structure with individual solos as well as very nice Spanish-tinged acoustic piano performed by Corea.

By the time we’ve reached Majestic Dance things have taken a turn for the worse. Cower at the 70’s butt-rock guitar of Al Di Meola. It’s not bad guitar playing, but to my young and modern ears it just sounds so -dated-. Throughout this track he does nothing but play big over-rated riffs, never quite reaching the extensive glory of one legendary solo.

I was waiting to pull out my lighter, but he never started to rock.

Adding to my misery was Corea’s choice to turn his synth into something resembling a harpsichord playing those high twinkly notes reminiscent of the into to Baba O’Riely.

Now, that song by the Who isn’t a bad one. But when you have to listen to the into for 6 minutes plus, with butt-rock guitar playing in the background, well. This one song almost seems like a stone around the neck of the whole record.

The Magician , the next cut, doesn’t help things out much either. It only consists of fast build ups by all four members, a break, and then another buildup. It only serves as a yawner here.

Duel of the Jester and The Tyrant the final track uses the same formula as the previous one, but relies upon a steady bass/rhythmic undercurrent of lite-funk to create a sense of movement and building throughout the piece. Making it far more interesting than the tune we just heard.

And what’s with the names of these tracks? Man, get Yes to write some words to the song names and you’ve got yourself another Rock Opera all ready to go.
Just what the world -doesn’t- need now.

This record has it’s moments, some it’s funk pieces are nice and Corea’s playing is always highly impressive. But dear God, I’m glad the 70s and butt rock is long gone.

Oh, what? Metallica cut their hair to keep playing more records? Bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot are playing off youth’s frustration and built up aggression just like all the hair bands in the 80s??

Maybe one day we’ll be spared. Excuse the tangent, just had to get that off my chest.

Music Snob #1.