I first discovered Chic Corea through my father's progressive /fusion rock LP collection. Dad would play Return to Forever's Romantic Warrior (1976) over and over again. Later came Musicmagic (1977).

What's been influential for me in Chic Corea's music is the freedom for players in his arrangements. He performs with extraordinary musicians - Lenny White, Al di Meola and Stanley Clarke. The way he treats phrase structures with repeated short melodies bursting into long, soaring lines is intuitively crafted. Dramatic. Virtuosic.