Return to Forever (Chick Corea album)

Return to Forever is a jazz fusion album by Chick Corea recorded over two days in February 1972 and released on ECM September that same year—Corea's fourth release for the label. It is the debut of a quintet featuring singer Flora Purim, flautist/saxophonist Joe Farrell, bassist Stanley Clarke and percussionist Airto Moreira, who would go on to record under the name Return to Forever.

Background
On March 3, 1972, saxophonist Stan Getz recorded an early version of "La Fiesta" for Captain Marvel (1974), backed by Corea, Clarke and Moreira along with drummer Tony Williams. The composition would become the middle section of the album's B-side, "Sometime Ago – La Fiesta" a full version of which can be found on the compilation Chick Corea – Selected Recordings (2002).

Purim would go on to sing her part of the medley, "Sometime Ago", on her fifth solo album, Open Your Eyes You Can Fly (1976).

Reception
The record is often considered one of the classic albums in electric jazz.

Return to Forever

 * Chick Corea – Fender Rhodes electric piano
 * Flora Purim – vocals, percussion
 * Joe Farrell – flute, soprano saxophone
 * Stanley Clarke – electric bass guitar (tracks 1-3), double bass (track 4)
 * Airto Moreira – drums, percussion

Technical personnel

 * Manfred Eicher – producer
 * Tony May – engineer
 * Michael Manoogian – cover photography