This music is very dense and complicated so getting it to sound good on a capable system is a challenge. I would say most of the regular 1972 pressings on Columbia sound shrill with no bass, like the one I have. I first bought the Friday Music LP and that was a great improvement over my Columbia pressing (although if you listen to Tom Port of Better Records he has a smokin original pressing that will kill anything else, at a price). The Friday pressing had much better bass and depth along with smoother highs. Now onto the Audio Fidelity SACD. This is the best so far. I like it a little better than the Friday LP. It is fairly close in overall sound but with even better dynamics. If you have a capable system you can rattle the windows with track 6 "Hope".
I am glad to see these fusion classics coming out on heavy vinyl and SACD. Return To Forever catalog please!