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Return to Forever

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Return to Forever was an American jazz fusion band that the pianist Chick Corea founded in 1972. The only permanent member besides him was bass player Stanley Clarke. Corea had earlier played on Miles Davis's albums In a Silent Way and Bitches Brew and then worked with the avant-garde group Circle. In 1972 he wanted to reach a larger audience and chose music more accessible than the avant-garde.

Music and breakthrough

The first line-up played mainly Latin-tinged music, with the Brazilian singer Flora Purim and percussionist Airto Moreira, saxophonist Joe Farrell and Clarke on acoustic and electric bass. The debut Return to Forever came out in 1972 on ECM, with Crystal Silence and La Fiesta. Light as a Feather from 1973 included Spain. After that the group turned into an instrumental jazz rock band with electric guitar and a distorted sound. Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy appeared in 1973. Among those that followed were Where Have I Known You Before, No Mystery and Romantic Warrior. In 1977 the group stopped, although it later came together live from time to time.

Influence

Return to Forever is regarded, alongside Weather Report, The Headhunters and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, as a core of 1970s jazz fusion. The group brought musicians such as Clarke, Purim, Moreira and Al Di Meola to wider attention. In School of Rock it stands beside Herbie Hancock's Head Hunters as proof that jazz in those years became electric and louder.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Spain from Light as a Feather and notice the electric piano and the Latin rhythms. Do you hear how the solos rise above a solid rhythm?

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

Categories: Artists