Early RTF with a proto-metal leaning
Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (1973), gave us the first incarnation of the band to feature its most famous instrumental configuration...i.e., no female vocals, no saxophone, no flute. No lyrics at all, pure music. We get the more conventional rock instrumentation for which the band would become famous; guitar, keyboards, bass, drums. There would be additional lineup changes to follow, but the basic formula was in place and set the stage for a run of excellent studio efforts from the group.
This probably is not Return to Forever's best album, but it is my personal favorite. There is a heavy vibe here, with a very distinct proto-metal sound. However there is also a significant emphasis on latin themes, and you can hear it, especially in the percussion and in some of Chick Corea's more rhythmic playing. Compositions are well laid-out, and while there is ample space provided for extended jamming, the jams are well-structured, particularly the work of Stanley Clarke on bass and Corea on keys. Bill Connors is the guitarist here, and while he is clearly not the equal of Al DiMeola, he is no slouch. A lot of times I appreciate his expressive style more than DiMeola's mathematical precision. Lenny White's importance here on percussion cannot be understated either, as he keeps the other band members from careening off the planet with this propulsive drumming.
This album features several great tracks: After the Cosmic Rain, Captain Senor Mouse, and Theme to the Mothership are all monstrous compositions, featuring solos at breakneck speed, on-a-dime time changes, and key shifts to keep even the most seasoned listeners on their toes. The title track is a tight little number that has more in common with progressive rock than it does fusion.
The mastering is not great, it is from 1990 and is fairly flat unfortunately. The packaging doesn't include much beyond a track listing. This has never been remastered...then again none of the RTF catalog has. It seems to me this band should be next in line to get the proper remastering treatment, the way Mahavshnu Orchestra, Weather Report, et al, have (ahem!)
Overall, a great place to start for most RTF newbies. The discs that followed this, however, are considered by most to be superior efforts and if you enjoy this disc, they shouldn't be missed: Where Have I Known You Before (1974), No Mystery (1975), and Romantic Warrior (1976).

It ALL becomes true!
I wish I could detail what this recording does , and MEANS for me.
This is REALLY!>the 1st EARLY 'RTF' album. with Al D. and.., my favorite . There is NO reason to say how incredible Stanley ,Chic, and Al D. ARE!!!, Because they ARE!.
The best,uh,,,*NOVA* that happened for me in 1980 when I first heard this LP as a aspiring drummer, was Lenny White!.. HuZaah! ..A new machine!
THUS! there is one final note;
They are 4 individual Prodigys!, that if, ONE was missing....would be a SEVER loss to the whole!, or , maybe....NEVER anything without EACH individual'4'.
THIS WAS,..IS!>the BEST 1st 'RTF', as IS "Romantic Warrior IS the 2nd BEST! of our beloved "RTF". Just BUY IT!!!!!!!!!! God Bless!

RTF With A New Sound
It's almost impossible to believe that the Return To Forever presented here is the same band that recorded Return to Forever and Light as a Feather a year or so earlier! That seemed like a totally different band and with the exception of Stanley Clarke and Chick Corea it is.On this recording Bill Connors and Lenny White have joined the crew and have changed the bands general direction. The emphasis on the first two RTF albums was on sudtlty and Brazillian rhythms,as well as the vocals of Flora Purim and sometimes Andy Bey. THIS Return To Forever lineup puts a strong focus on instrumentation-in fact this is all instrumental. As with almost all jazz-fusion from this era the tempo is often very fast paced and sometimes overdone. But that doesn't mean that the title song,"After The Cosmic Rain","Captain Senor Mouse" and "Theme To The Mothership" don't all have a lot of focus-that is probably why this album rates so highly among RTF fans. These songs are rather long and feature periods of extended jamming-this album is more or less split between Corea's lightening speed Fender Rhodes solos and Lenny White's very likeminded drumming. Bill Connors tries hard to keep up and usually does but usually the drums and the organ bury him in the mix,which is exactly what happens to Stanley Clarke. But Stanley gets his chance to shine on "Space Circus",the only funk song on the album and it benifits from his sense of the groove and the other guys in the group follow his lead and give up the funk in great style. "The Game Maker" is back to Corea himself but the arrangement is just a little more subdued. The one thing that is a bit troubling about this album are that the songwriting skills of each of these musicians are virtually non existant here,as they opt to excersise their musical skills as opposed to the song.So there is a lot of collective and solo improvisation here ammidst the jazz-rock arrangments. If your not a musician,fusion or prog rock fan or are looking more for accessible songs this album might lose you midway through but after a few listens you'll find out what an exciting experience this music can be.

THIS...IS THE ONE!
this album is near and dear to my heart because it was the one that really opened my ears to fusion. Oh yeah, I was already hip to prog bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer, etc, but from the opening strains of Hymn of The Seventh Galaxy I knew this was something completely different. I had never heard this kind of music before and to this day remain a fusionhead. I ended up seeing this band 5 times but never with Bill Connors on guitar. Al DiMeola wasn't too shabby of a replacement though, ha ha!

Matter of fact, when I saw them at Carnegie Hall, way back in the day, I heard that was DiMeola's first gig with the band, and super drummer Billy Cobham was seated about 10 rows or so behind me. I of course, was front row center! Sweet! I have to say this disc is a must-have for any serious fusion collection. Chick Corea is nothing if not a brilliant composer and his lines on the keys are a thing of beauty. If this disc is not in your fusion collection then that collection is not complete. Being that Connors did not stick around I will say the Corea-Clarke-DiMeola-White version of the band was THEE classic lineup, at least for me. Long live fusion, baby!!
www.electriceyes.us

Fantastic Jazz Fusion
Chick Corea and RtF at their FINEST!

This album is simply superb. Bill Connors adds so much more to this band than Al DiMeola. Al should stick to classical spanish guitar. Meanwhile, the songs transition very well, and each has a very sophisticated flavor and UMPH to it. One of the chief aspects that defines a classic CD is its ability to grow on you with each listen. This album is good for hundreds, if not thousands of spins. Each time you listen variables like mood, atmosphere, company, and others will redefine what makes this album so special.

If you like bands like Weather Report, or can appreciate the bass work of Jaco Pastorius, this CD will make a fine addition to your collection.