Romantic Warrior by Return To Forever

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Robert Peckyno

Romantic Warrior by Return to Forever

Released: 1976 (Columbia Records)

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Romantic Warrior

Here’s another LP that I picked up at Goodwill ($1.00!) simply for the cover.   Ironically, I had never heard of the group before, but I knew all of the individuals so I knew it was almost certainly going to be great…  and it is!    Fusion funk jazz.

Simply four amazing musicians putting the pedal to the floor and letting it go without a filter.   Badass doesn’t begin to cover it.

Romantic Warrior was the sixth studio LP from Return to Forever and was their best seller (over a half million copies).

Check out “Sorceress!” (if you don’t see the video, refresh the page!)

Return to Forever’s all star line up (for this LP) is:

  • Chick Corea (Keys),
  • Stanley Clarke (Bass),
  • Lenny White (Drums),
  • and Al Di Meola (Guitars)

However, many other fantastic musicians have also been in the band including Frank Gambale, Bill Connors, Earl Klugh, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Airto Moreira.

Here’s “The Magician”

Return to Forever

You can see what they’ve all been up to on Amazon including their 2008 reunion tour which featured the full Romantic Warrior lineup.  It is also available on DVD.

 
And finally, here’s the title track (and my personal favorite) – “Romantic Warrior”

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666 by Aphrodite’s Child

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Robert Peckyno

666 by Aphrodite’s Child

Released: 1972 (Vertigo Records)

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666 Album Cover

As a soundscape guy, I’ve been a fan of Vangelis for a long time.   His soundtracks are a staple in my collection and several (Blade Runner, 1492, etc) are all time favorites.

However, I had never really done much background research.   Hence, when I was turned on to his progressive rock past (thx BJ), I was intrigued.   That this was a double concept album that was an interpretation of the Book of Revelations only made it more interesting.

666 is a creative double record that takes a vision to extreme.   Although it has several great driving rock pieces, that’s just the beginning of the story.  It’s also ambient, experimental, funky, eccentric, and wonderful including everything from choral chanting to a performance art mantra orgasm.

Here’s “Four Horseman” (if you don’t see the video, refresh the page!)

Aphrodite’s Child is/was:

  • Evengelos Odysseas Papathanassiou (Vangelis)
  • Artemiros Ventouris Roussos
  • Anargyros Koulouris, and
  • Lucas Sideras
  • and a host of guests

As with Sky, while this was Vangelis’ concept album, for me, it is the grouped collection of talent and performance that takes this record over the top.

While perhaps not the best video ever made,
the track ‘Babylon’ is one of my favorites from 666.

Aphrodite's ChildAllMusic.com gives it 4½ stars, however, their review notes that “the entire set eventually becomes too overwhelming to sit through”.  I actually agree.   When I have my iPod on random shuffle and one of these tracks comes up, I always think “wow, super cool” – but my one time through start to finish left me a bit exhausted by the end.

Nonetheless, it’s a record you certainly should hear – and even one worth actually ‘listening’ to.   Great texture, great variety, super fun and just plain oddness.   I love to hear a vision taken to the extreme and this certainly qualifies!

I’ll leave you with the dreamy sounds of the Aegian Sea.   “They’d been told to wait.”

 

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Sky(2) by Sky

Posted on November 21, 2011 by Robert Peckyno

Sky 2

Released: 1980 (Arista Records)

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Sky2 Album Cover

I love picking up albums at the second-hand stores that I’ve never heard of – often the payoff is so much better than buying groups that I know.   This was certainly the case with Sky2 by Sky.  I’m a bit surprised (and embarrassed) that I’ve not run across Sky before… Their music is a fantastic fusion of classical, jazz, and prog rock and is certainly right up my alley.

Sky2 was an ambitious double record was became the 10th biggest selling release in the UK for 1980 – mostly driven by the single Tocatta, an awesome rocked out revamp of Bach’s ‘Toccata and Fugue in D Minor,’ which hit number 6 on the British singles chart!

Check it out! (if you don’t see the video, refresh the page!)

The full double album is one surprise after another and does not disappoint.

The opening track ‘Hotta’ reminds me of Jean Michel Jarre. (or vice-versa, I guess considering the release dates…)  You can hear it below.

On 24th February 1981, to mark the 20th Anniversary of Amnesty International, Sky gave the first (and to date, only) concert ever held in Westminster Abbey in London!

Despite the sync being off about a measure,
here’s an extended version of Hotta from that show.

While all of the members of Sky have notable solo accomplishments, for me, it is the combination of talent on this record that really takes it to the next level.

It doesn’t look like any of their records are available as MP3 download on Amazon or iTunes, but you can get CD’s and vinyl on Amazon!

I have to give it 5/5, great fun – great music and musicians – if you can find this double – or any of their records, you should buy them!!

You can find more information on Sky from Richard Sliwa’s comprehensive unofficial Sky website or from Wikipedia.

 

Finally, don’t be confused by the multitude of other bands named ‘Sky’
(especially the iTunes awful New Age dude… ugh!).
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