Record Reviews

MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA ~ MAHAVISHNU WOUNDED BIRD 5190 (Barcode: 664140519022) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1984 Released: 2002 7th album by Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, recorded almost 6 years after the last album recorded by MO Mk. III (which means this was MO Mk. IV). In the years that passed between these two incarnations of MO John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist recorded several superb solo albums as well as trio albums with Al Di MeolaFind albums by this artist & Paco De LuciaFind albums by this artist and of course led the ShaktiFind albums by this artist World-Fusion ensemble – a truly astonishing body of music. The reincarnation of MO served as a project to take another look at the Fusion genre and reflect the changes that the genre went through. McLaughlin selected some of the best Fusion players for his group, with veteran Billy CobhamFind albums by this artist on drums, Swedish bass player Jonas HellborgFind albums by this artist (with whom he recorded several duo and trio albums later), and two excellent representatives of the second generation of US Fusion players: Bill EvansFind albums by this artist (the other Bill Evans) on sax and Mitchell FormanFind albums by this artist on keyboards. The music on this album is very different from what the first six MO albums presented. It is much more laid-back, relaxed, serene and cerebral. McLaughlin plays with layers of electronic sounds produced by his guitar synthesizer and Forman’s keyboards, with plenty of space for Evans to solo. The rhythm section is also much looser and provides just the right setting for this music. If you are just into the Fusion pyrotechnics as displayed on the early MO albums, this one will be a disappointment, but if you are into great music, you will truly appreciate this one. The fact that AtlanticFind albums on this label never reissued this album proves how blind and deaf the Majors are and I am grateful to Terry from Wounded BirdFind albums on this label to bring this superb music back to life.

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