Chick Corea: The evolution of that album [Friends] is simple. It felt so good playing with Eddie Gomez, Steve Gadd, and Joe Farrell on The Mad Hatter that I suggested we do something together — not elaborate, no arrangments. It was done in 3 or 4 days, a month after the album.

Source: What’s New With Chick, by Len Lyons, Musician, Player & Listener, Nov. 1- Dec. 15, 1978.