Children of Forever

Children of Forever
Studio album by Stanley Clarke
Released	1973 (1973)
Recorded	December 26–27, 1972
Studio	A&R, New York City
Genre	Jazz fusion
Length	47:52
Label	Polydor
Producer	Chick Corea
Stanley Clarke chronology
Children of Forever (1973) Stanley Clarke (1974)

Children of Forever is the debut album by jazz fusion bassist Stanley Clarke. It was recorded in December 1972, and was released in 1973 by Polydor Records. On the album, Clarke is joined by vocalists Dee Dee Bridgewater and Andy Bey, flutist Arthur Webb, guitarist Pat Martino, keyboardist Chick Corea, and drummer Lenny White. ^{[1] [2]}

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[1]
The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide	[3]

In a review for AllMusic, Thom Jurek wrote: "Children of Forever has aged exceedingly well, and sounds as warm, inviting, and full of possibility in the early 21st century as it did in the early '70s. It's full of heart, soul, passion, and truly inspired musicianship." ^[1]

Billboard included the recording in their "Top Album Picks," and a reviewer stated: "Avant-garde meets funk on this connecting bridge type of project in which Andy Bey's fine voice is heard to advantage and Chick Corea's electric piano tinkles superbly." ^[4]

Noting the presence of Corea and White on the album, Progrography's Dave Connolly commented: "As a warm run for the next iteration of RTF..., Children of Forever is a welcome find for fusion fans." ^[5]

Track listing

All tracks composed by Stanley Clarke and lyrics written by Neville Potter; except where indicated

Side One

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"Children of Forever"	Clarke	10:42
2.	"Unexpected Days"		5:53
3.	"Bass Folk Song"		7:59
Total length:			24:34

Side Two

No.	Title	Music	Length
1.	"Butterfly Dreams"		6:52
2.	"Sea Journey"	Chick Corea, Neville Potter	16:26
Total length:			23:18

Personnel

• Stanley Clarke – double bass, bass guitar
• Chick Corea – electric piano, piano, clavinet
• Pat Martino – electric guitar, 12-string guitar
• Lenny White – drums, tambourine
• Arthur Webb – flute
• Dee Dee Bridgewater – vocals
• Andy Bey – vocals

Production

• Chick Corea – Producer
• Leslie Wynn – Assistant Producer
• Dixon Van Winkle – Engineer
• Brad Davis – Assistant Engineer

References

1. Jurek, Thom. "Children of Forever". AllMusic. Retrieved July 20, 2011.
2. "Stanley Clarke - Children of Forever". Jazz Music Archives. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
3. Swenson, John, ed. (1985). The Rolling Stone Jazz Record Guide (1 ed.). New York: Rolling Stone. p.  42. ISBN   0-394-72643-X.
4. "Top Album Picks". Billboard. June 16, 1973. p. 85.
5. Connolly, Dave (July 10, 2017). "Stan Clarke: Children of Forever (1973)". Progrography. Retrieved November 8, 2022.