The Best Return To Forever Line Up's (sadly) Last Album
It's sad that the original incarnation of Return To Forever only lasted a couple of albums. The lineups that followed were like entirely different bands, and none of them were as soulful as this. Romantic Warrior may be one of the most overrated jazz fusions albums, with excess soloing and bombast overwrought compositions that are simply forced. While not as well composed as their debut, Light As A Feather is a great album, and must be listened to.

Initially, I thought that Light As a Feather was inferior to their debut. My roadblock was the solos. Although It's often overlooked by many others, jazz can get just as self indulgent as any technical metal band and prog rock band that so many people like to slam. Considering that a lot of jazz focuses on long solos, it can fall into the trap of bombast show-offs (Giant Steps). While, like Giant Steps, had a purpose to innovate, it still has a tendency to become self indulgent. While the very long solos on here can occasionally sound tedious at times, or amazing at other times (incostinecy, which is why this album fails to make a perfect score), they glide, they swoon, and there is melodic back up. Also, there is variety in the solos, and the enchanted rhythm section keeps everything gliding with grace. This isn't self righteous soloing, this is music! And yes, while it isn't as composition based as their debut (yeah, I kind of like composition based more than solo based), it still impresses with composing skills.

Your Everything may sound like something from a PBS documentary from the 70's, but that's not a bad thing since I find that to be great as it is. This one is great because it's quite short and includes a very short but totally meaningful and gorgeous solo. Samba rhythms, vocals and chiming flutes make up this great song. Light As A Feather is the first song to feature long soloing, but the eleven minute does not go to waste. The intro and outro are as graceful as a feather in the wind. Captain Marvel is kind of bombast, but man, the solos are great and the rhythms are addicting.

500 Miles High, may have a slightly cheesy line (since I'm pessmistic about love, which SUCKS) at the beginning, but it takes off and goes into....more solos!!!! But the rhythms and melody once again saves the solos, which, by the way, don't sound the same as the many long solos in this album. Children's Song may be the lowpoint, considering it's not really that conjuring and fails to make a lasting impression, I think it's filler. Spain, however, is another gem. This one floats serene at the beginning, yes, but it goes into more furious latin music, often refraining the drumless dance like passage. Spain is easily the best track on this album.

You may like subsequent Return To Forever albums, as I can't say YOU won't like them, but Return To Forever's first two albums are the only albums you need by the group. Essential. I haven't been able to stop listening to it ever since I got it.

9/10

An All-Time Favorite
For shear jazz pleasure, this 1973 album is hard to beat. Compared to the post-bop/hard bop of the 1960s and the fusion of the early 1970s, it may seem a bit light-weight. However, the compositions are enormously appealing and the playing first-rate. Although perhaps not a jazz masterpiece, I think it's pretty darn close, and it still sounds remarkably fresh today. This was one of the first jazz albums I enjoyed (back in the 70s), and although my music collection has grown exponentially in recent years, I still find myself returning to it frequently. The infectious melodies and rhythms never fail to brighten the mood (and can be almost addictive!) I noticed that one reviewer suggested that this was a precursor to smooth jazz--I find that a stretch, but even if true, I find this album so, so, SO much better than most of today's smooth jazz. Several reviewers don't like Flora Purim's singing on this album--I absolutely love her voice and the way she blends with the instruments on these tracks. If for any reason you've avoided this album in the past (or if you're new to jazz) I'd highly recommend you give it a try. This group made one other album, simply called RETURN TO FOREVER, which is also very good. However, I've always found LIGHT AS A FEATHER a little more enjoyable; it's also more accessible for someone new to jazz.

The playing is good, but the vocals . . .
Chick delivers a fine album musically, with some terrific solos on the electric piano, but I must agree with some of the reviewers on here that Flora Purim's vocals can be downright awful on all the pieces she sings. Her voice sounds flat and off key, and you can really hear her struggle with her accent and her English throughout the album. It sounds as if she is struggling to hit the note and sustain it in all the songs. This is truly disappointing and I cringe because the music is so good and tightly composed. I think the later Return To Forever is better and I'm going to have to sell this one back.

Classic
As fresh today as when released. Creative, tasteful improv that avoids some of the excess of later work.

one of the BEST albums ever made
This album is in a class by itself. I don't hand out the "Best" judgement lightly. The musicians have to be spectacular, the music has to be exciting, and there are NO weak parts to the album. NONE. Every song is a gem, every musician is clear and articulate. I have to tell you that "Musicmagic" also fits into the "BEST" catagory too.

Stan Getz was so impressed by this and the "Return to Forever" album that his Captain Marvel album contains 3 cuts from the 2 albums, and features Chick Corea on electric piano, Stanley Clarke on electric bass, Airto Moreira on percussion. Quite honestly, I've listened to this album so much that I am sick of it. (I have it in vinyl from the 70's.)

Nowdays I am returning to my roots and have found other musicians good enough to play this stuff, and I am in hog heaven!

I think I can safely say that non-musicians will really enjoy this album, musicians will be blown away!