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Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (1973) is Return to Forever‘s third studio album.

This was the group’s first album with a rock-influenced sound and without any vocals. Former members Flora Purim, Joe Farrell and Airto Moreira were replaced by drummer Lenny White and guitarist Bill Connors.

The album was originally recorded with drummer Steve Gadd but when Gadd did not want to tour with the band, a new version was recorded with Lenny White. The version featuring Gadd was never released and the whole recording is said to be lost (Wikipedia, https://goo.gl/3qmwLa).

The Allmusic review by Daniel Gioffre awarded the album 4½ stars and stated: “With Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy, Corea continues his streak of simply timeless fusion albums. The best of the electric RTF albums”.

Track listing:

00:00 Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (Chick Corea)
03:29 After the Cosmic Rain (Stanley Clarke)
11:53 Captain Senor Mouse (Chick Corea)
20:53 Theme to the Mothership (Chick Corea)
29:41 Space Circus (Chick Corea)
35:22 The Game Maker (Chick Corea)
Total length: 42:14

Personnel:
Bill Connors – electric guitar, acoustic guitar
Chick Corea – electric piano, acoustic piano, organ, harpsichord, gongs
Stanley Clarke – electric bass, bell tree
Lenny White – drums, percussion

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Released: October 1973
Recorded: August 1973
Studio Record Plant Studios, New York City
Length: 42:14
Label: Polydor
Producer: Chick Corea