Return to Forever's "Anthology" a return to virtuousity
In the early to mid-1970s, I found that Return to Forever (RTF)was making some of the most exciting and innovative music of that time. "The Anthology" hearkens us back to that era, showing that most of the music holds up (i.e., more than 90 percent; some of the synthesizer work sounds dated, but that's a quibble). The most remarkable aspect of this compilation is how it allows ALL the members of RTF to shine: Al Dimeola's nimble facility on the guitar. Lenny White's muscular take on the drums, the most powerful percussion I have heard since Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake, etc. We relearn what a prodigy we were witnessing in Stanley Clarke. And Chick Corea's inventive compositions seem as fresh as ever, while his mastery of the keyboards was never in doubt. I urge all fans of Return to Forever and jazz fusion to buy this album either to learn what all the excitement was about or remember that we were hearing greatness.

Best of the Best
More Fusion then Jazz (which was what I thought it would be), and one of the best CD's I have in my collection.
If you like it motivating and a little hard you want this CD.

One of the best bands to ever walk the planet
They may have not been the first fusion band to use the electric guitar as a lead instrument, but I think it's safe to say RTF was the best fusion band to come out of the post-Miles 70's era. Mahavishnu was great, but they never had the ensemble playing approach that RTF had. You can clearly hear it on this anthology. The solos are fierce, but they fit the concept of the song and not the other way around. One of the best things about this anthology (besides the price which is crazy) is that their two greatest albums are found on here in their entirety.

The remixing and the remastering is hard to fault, although as another reviewer pointed out the familiar studio enhanced ending to "Vulcan Worlds" is missing. Something as little as that can be jarring after you've heard the tune a certain way for over thirty years. However, I've never heard the remainder of the Polydor songs ever sound as good as what's found on here. You can hear Lenny White in all his power and swing like never before. For what it's worth, I prefer the Romantic Warrior album mix found on this collection too......and I never thought I'd be saying that when I first listened to it. It sounds more live and immediate here than on any other previous versions.

Opinions vary and those are mine. You really can't do much better than this for a comprehensive, sonically brilliant collection of the electric Return to Forever. They really were the best of the best.

I only hope that their re-union success this year leads to more music, either new or from Chicks' archives.

Vintage jazz
If you loved them in their early days, this will be more good stuff at their best.

Blast from the past
What can I say? These guys pretty much defined jazz/rock fusion. Before Stanley no one played the electric bass with so much authority. Al Di meola was second only to John Mclaughlin. Of course Chick is Chick in any genre. What really amazes me about the recording is the drumming of Lenny White. I forgot what a monster he was and still is. This music brings back fond memories of a time when music was being stretched to it's limits and beyond. Not everyones cup of tea, then or now. But these guys started a revolution that forced other players to hone their chops and make it possible to have the folks we have today! I'm not as amazed at the technical wizardry now as I was back then because it is common to hear players today who have taken fusion to the next level. Still for nostalgia's sake and to see where it started you must buy this CD.