Return To Forever-The Mothership Returns (2012)

With a title that is, to say the least, revealing, Return to Forever returned with a double live album 30 years after their last studio release, "Music Magic", in 1977. Featuring a lineup that included regulars Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White, along with Frank Gambale replacing Al Di Meola and the addition of Jean-Luc Ponty, they undertook an extensive tour in 2011, from which the material included on the double album "The Mothership Returns" was taken. This double album is full of memorable moments, such as the opening "Medieval Overture" from the album "Romantic Warrior", with an incredible performance by all five members of a classic piece in their repertoire. This is followed by other highlights such as "Senor Mouse" and "The Shadows of Lo/Sorceress". It should be noted that the inclusion of Jean-Luc Ponty's electric violin gives a different dimension to the original sound of all the songs included here. On the other hand, while it's true that Frank Gambale could never be compared to Di Meola in acoustic guitar performances, it's equally true that his tremendous electric guitar skills are in no way lacking, even though his style is heavier and more rock-oriented than Meola's. In other tracks like "Renaissance", "After The Cosmic Rain", "Spain", "Beyond The Seventh Galaxy", and "School Days", Corea's piano, Clarke's funky bass, and Lenny White's dynamic drumming stand out for their talented instrumental performances, without in any way diminishing Ponty's violin flourishes and Frank Gambale's energetic guitar work.