Musicmagic by Return to Forever

❉ Return to Forever -- Musicmagic ❉ Musicmagic is the seventh and final studio album of fusion band Return to Forever. This album contains the final line-up of the band, with only founders Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke returning from the previous album. This is the first album since Light as a Feather to contain vocals, featuring Corea's wife Gayle Moran. This album also marks the return of original member Joe Farrell on saxophone, along with several new members making up a five-piece horn section. With the addition of trombonist Ron Moss, this lineup toured and recorded the live album Live, which represents the band's final release to date. Return to Forever was one of the most commercially and artistically successful jazz/rock bands of the '70s. Albums like Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy and Where Have I Known You Before are filled with the band's chemistry and deft mix of genres. This 1977 effort marks the departure of founding member, drummer Lenny White and guitarist Al Di Meola. White is replaced here with Gerry Brown. A five-piece horn section is added, which includes the returning Joe Farrell. Gayle Moran also is added as a vocalist and on keyboards. Those expecting a continuation of what the group was working on during the great Romantic Warrior will be disappointed. Musicmagic features none of the exciting and challenging playing that typified their best work. The first track, The Musician, starts off strongly with a great intro then meanders, a trait that often marred Corea's best work of this era. Hello Again, a duet with Clarke and Moran, is skilled but a little mawkish. The title track plays to this incarnation's strengths with the horn section providing punchy support as Corea has a harder-edged Fender Rhodes solo. Unfortunately, Musicmagic is more often than not filled with bombast and melodrama typified on So Long Mickey Mouse and Do You Ever. The last track, the melodically compelling The Endless Night, also has the vocals of Clarke and Moran blending particularly well on the song. Despite the best intentions, Musicmagic lacks the swagger and confidence of the group's best work. Credits Gerry Brown -- Drums Stanley Clarke -- Bass (Electric), Piccolo, Vocals, Producer Chick Corea -- Piano, Keyboards, Vocals, Moog Synthesizer, Producer Joe Farrell -- Flute, Piccolo, Sax (Soprano), Sax (Tenor) Harold Garrett -- Horn, Trombone (Bass), Trombone (Tenor) Bernie Grundman -- Mastering Bernie Kirsh -- Engineer Gayle Moran -- Piano, Organ (Hammond), Vocals Ric Ocasek -- Composer Jim Pugh -- Trombone John Thomas -- Trumpet, Flugelhorn James Tinsley -- Trumpet, Piccolo ℗ 1977 Sony BMG Music Entertainment