Return to Forever Returns

2009 two CD release. Return To Forever were at the forefront of Jazz/Rock fusion in the '70s and, like their contemporaries Weather Report and Mahavishnu Orchestra, were formed by a former Miles Davis sideman, in this case the great Chick Corea. Return To Forever hit their commercial and artistic peak with a string of albums in the mid-'70s featuring the line-up of Chick Corea on keyboards, Stanley Clarke on bass, Al Di Meola on guitar and Lenny White on drums. In 2008, this classic line-up reunited for their first tour in 25 years and proved that their musicianship and the chemistry within the band was as strong as ever.

One of the all-time greats of Brazilian Jazz-Fusion, Flora Purim, returns with her first studio album in over 15 years, ‘If You Will’. This album is a triumphant celebration, exploring new compositions alongside fresh versions of some of Flora’s favourite songs. Title track ‘If You Will’ revives her past collaborations with producer and long-time friend, the legendary George Duke.

Fourteen years is a long time to spend with one label, especially for jazz and fusion groups. Azymuth celebrated 14 years with the United Kingdom's Far Out label in 2008. Butterfly is their eight record for the imprint and their first new studio album in four years. The original trio – Jose Roberto Bertami (keyboards/vocals), Alex Malheiros (bass/guitars/vocals), and Ivan Conti (drums/percussion/vocals) – is still together after 35 years. Here jazz, funk, fusion, and elegant samba are woven together seamlessly. The disc was produced by the trio with David Brinkworth (Harmonic 33). "Butterfly," the album opener, is a sultry, breezy cover of the classic Herbie Hancock track, originally on 1974's Thrust. The elegant sound of gorgeously arranged strings (by Arthur Verocai no less), warm rolling Rhodes piano, Conti's breaking drums that walk the line between lithe funk and samba, and a pronounced but languid bassline gradually and deliberately build the space, stopping at interludes to reinsert the sensuous mood in the melodic line. Certainly it's an auspicious way to begin, but it's only one of the many highlights on this set.