Romantic Warrior is one of my all-time favorite classic fusion jazz-rock album containing some simply mind - blowing instrumental interplay. It is a conceptual album around medieval fantasy. Romantic Warrior brought 4 of the world's most talented and creative musicians together (Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Lenny White and Al Di Meola). The entire ensemble sound tight and highly progressive exuding a high degree of control while releasing tons of energy. The music alternates fast, very technical bass / guitar sections, crossing the duet with a stunning piano touch and epic, symphonic, ironical interludes.

Medieval Overture comes in breathing fire and then proceeds to be both funky and porgy (with some killer Lenny White drum moments) before drastically cutting the pace with a free form solo and then reinventing itself as a series of rapid-fire jams. Sorceress on the other hand starts off with a fat slab of funk before a stunning exchange of solos ensues; Corea's electric piano work is superseded by a DiMeola guitar masterpiece before Corea returns to steal the show with some top-notch spacey synth work. He then takes the piece into the stratosphere with a heavenly acoustic piano solo that blends conventional jazz with avant-garde techniques! Romantic Warrior is an atypically mellow piece. The lyrical piano playing from Corea is delightful and there's some lovely accompaniment from both Clarke and Di Meola and all that comes before Clarke takes over with a truly brilliant bass solo. The mood is constantly changing, turning into free improvisations and basic jazzy lines. The rock guitar base of Majestic Dance, with its memorable melody is another great DiMeola moment. Aside from his power riffing, this piece has some sudden marimba/Moog interludes to break it up. The Magician also has some interesting textures.

Essential album and certainly needs to be heard in the same light as early Mahavishnu and Weather Report masterpieces. Romantic Warrior is one of the best albums of its time, especially sans vocals.

It’s fusion at its best.

The LP was released on Columbia Label PC 34076 (US) (1976)

Line-up / Musicians

- Chick Corea / organ, percussion, piano, keyboards - Al DiMeola / guitar - Stanley Clarke / bass - Lenny White / congas, cymbals, drums, timbales

Reviewed by Pilak Bhatt

Pilak Bhatt is a 54 year old Mumbai resident who is still keeping the turntable spinning. Bhatt is one of many avid LP record collectors in the country and also around the world who has a passion for music and collecting LP records. Bhatt has a collection of almost 1 lac LP records. He buys and sells LPs, advises on turntables and has his own Music Circle shop at Kandivili, Mumbai that stocks loads of LPs.  He can be contacted on 9820365979.