(Concord Records)

When talents of this calibur get together magic, not just great music, happens. This is exactly what we hear on Forever, a 2-CD set from pianist Chick Corea, bassist Stanley Clarke and drummer Lenny White. For the three members of the seminal fusion band Return to Forever, this project is something of a return to their formative years, before the various incarnations of the more electrified band. The chemistry and musicianship here is no less electric. Disc one of the set features live performances from the trio in Seattle, Oakland and Tokyo. The second disc is an in-studio session recorded in preparation for a special concert featuring guest violinist Jean Luc-Ponty vocalist Chaka Khan, and Bill Connors who each have their own connection to earlier days of the band as well. The sparks of virtuosity which illuminated that paths of each of the three men at the heart of this effort are even more brilliant than when they first formed the unit, as hearing them together again makes plainly evident on this fantastic package.