Chick Corea – Return To Forever

This is my favourite album of all time, beyond the shadow of a doubt (Steely Dan's Aja is second).
I would listen to it to every day, any time of the day, whatever mood I'm in, regardless of the season.
If there is such a thing as perfection, it lies on the B side of this record.

Now, looking for the best sounding version, I bought 6 copies of it, all from the 70s :
3 US (r20364256; r1141070; r937132), 1 Canada (r5404215), 1 German (r2693836), and 1 Japanese (r2499163).
(I should give the 2010/2015 reissues a try, I know).

I'm afraid I'm going against the wind here, but the Japanese version is the most disappointing of them all. And not because of disk condition, all of my copies are NM or close. The Japanese version has a weird on-and-off presence on some instruments, very noticable on the percussions (especially cymbals) and flute on side B, almost like the master cut out the high-end. This is something I've noticed on other late 70s Japanese pressings too, like the Beatles' Rubber Soul (r3346540).

In order of best to worst, the German one is the best, followed closely by USA's r20364256, then the other USA/Canada are undistinguishable, and the Japanese last.
But don't get me wrong, this is still a fine-sounding record I wouldn't mind listening to every day.

And yes, all the copies I've listened to suffer from pre-echo on side B (much less, if not absent on side A), I don't think there's anything you can do about it.
I haven't listened to the 2010 and 2015 reissues or any digital version.

Found a largely unplayed but noisy copy local used. SpinClean then the Ultrasonic and WOW! Clear, dynamic great mix. A Classic every modern jazz enthusiast should own.

The sound quality is just incredible. Clearly, one of the best sounding CDs that I've ever heard!

Try listening to the music and don’t focus on the crackle just a thought

This remaster is superb. Far beyond the original on vinyl.

The sound of this Japanese pressed vinyl is beyond expectation. It is more natural and beautiful than any other country's pressing. I would recommend this vinyl to those who have the prejudice that records pressed in Japan have too little bass and too much treble.

Sounds absolutely great, no issues whatsoever with my copy. Totally quiet vinyl.

Had two different copies with the same pressing problem at Crystal Silence track. Had to return both. Hope you guys are luckier than me. I’ll be looking for an original.

There is a lot of pre-echo on this pressing which can be heard in the quiet ages.

the first album i ever bought by Chick was light as a feather back when it was released. one of the greatest fusion albums of all time. i somehow missed out on this one as it came out the year before biut it is every bit as good and in the same mould. Chick was one of the standout jazz musicians of the 20th century, one of the greats! RIP Chick, you gave us so much joy with your misic.