Record Reviews

JOHN MCLAUGHLIN ~ BLACK LIGHT ABSTRACT LOGIX 050 (Barcode: 700261424491) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock-World Fusion Recorded: 2015 Released: 2015 This is the third studio album by British Jazz guitar maverick John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, recorded with his 4th DimensionFind albums by this artist band, which includes British keyboardist / drummer Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist, Cameroonian bassist Etienne M`BappeFind albums by this artist and Indian drummer and konokol vocalist Ranjit BarotFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by the leader. The music is a unique mixture of Jazz-Rock Fusion with World Music elements, with a distinct Indian touch, but also Flamenco touches and other underlying elements. For McLaughlin followers this music combines everything he did in the five decades preceding this recording, including Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, ShaktiFind albums by this artist and his extensive solo work. McLaughlin’s performances are brilliantly ageless, and his virtuosity seems to be completely unmindful of the years that passed by since he appeared on the scene. He has more energy and open-mindedness than guitarists half his age, which of course is hardly surprising to his many followers. 4th Dimension is a perfect band for McLaughlin, as it encapsulates all the elements he likes to have around when creating music. Husband supports McLaughlin most amicably, contributing some superb keyboard parts, and the rhythm section is like a good natured tornado, driving the music with enormous energy but at the same time being incredible precise and considerate. Since this album was released in 2015, the popular rumors circulating until a couple of month before I write these words stated, that this is probably the last studio album by McLaughlin, but in July 2021 McLaughlin delightfully surprised all his followers with the release of the pandemic influenced new album entitled “Liberation TimeFind albums with this title”, which of course will get its own write-up here. Overall, this is a brilliant album from start to finish, which continues the sublime recording legacy by the greatest guitarist that we were all blessed to hear in all time. Thank you John for a lifetime of music!

Updated: 04/09/2021Posted: 04/09/2021

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JOHN MCLAUGHLIN ~ LIBERATION TIME ABSTRACT LOGIX 065 (Barcode: 700261486185) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Funk Fusion Recorded: 2020 Released: 2021 This an album by iconic British guitarist / composer / bandleader John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist, recorded during the Covid-19 pandemic with many musicians around the world using today’s possibilities to make music together “remotely”. The musicians include British keyboardists / drummer Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist, bassist Sam BurgessFind albums by this artist, saxophonist Julian SiegelFind albums by this artist, American drummer Vinnie ColaiutaFind albums by this artist, Cameroonian bassist Etienne M`BappeFind albums by this artist, Indian drummer and konokol vocalist Ranjit BarotFind albums by this artist and others. The album presents seven original compositions, all by McLaughlin, two of which are short solo piano pieces played by him. Despite the rumors about retirement, McLaughlin proves to the world that he still is the undisputable numero uno out there, despite being almost eighty years young. His notes are as sharp and precise as ever and his compositions as exciting as one can wish for. The music sounds familiar, like Mother’s food, something that one is never tired of, but is amazingly fresh and energetic, with the album flowing swiftly with never a dull moment. The album rises some pretty grim reflections, as far as Fusion is concerned, given that the person who basically was one of the genre’s pioneers in the mid-1960s, is still on the very top of the crest, as if nothing happened the fifty-five years that passed by since. I’d even go as far as saying that if one owns all his recordings as leader and sideman, one does not miss anything else as far as Fusion is concerned. Overall, this is an excellent album in every respect and a great addition to McLaughlin’s recording legacy, which easily represents the Fusion genre in its full glory. Praying for more albums to come…

Updated: 03/11/2021Posted: 22/10/2021

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JOHN MCLAUGHLIN ~ LIVE @ RONNIE SCOTT`S ABSTRACT LOGIX 058 (Barcode: 700261457000) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2017 This is a live album by iconic British guitarist / composer / bandleader John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and his 4th DimensionFind albums by this artist quartet, which includes British keyboardists / drummer Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist, Cameroonian bassist Etienne M`BappeFind albums by this artist and Indian drummer and konokol vocalist Ranjit BarotFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by McLaughlin. The material includes three tracks from the last studio album at the time “Black LightFind albums with this title” and earlier compositions. The music is a unique mixture of Jazz-Rock Fusion and other elements. For McLaughlin followers this music combines everything he did in the five decades preceding this recording, including Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist and his extensive solo work. The live setting allows for extensive soloing, which offers many hair-raising moments and proves that McLaughlin is still very much the Boss, leaving his many disciples far behind. McLaughlin’s performances are brilliantly ageless, and his virtuosity seems to be completely unmindful of the years that passed by since he appeared on the scene. He has more energy and open-mindedness than guitarists half his age, which of course is hardly surprising to his many followers. 4th Dimension is a perfect band for McLaughlin, as it encapsulates all the elements he likes to have around when creating music. Husband supports McLaughlin most amicably, contributing some superb keyboard parts, and the rhythm section is like a good natured tornado, driving the music with enormous energy but at the same time being incredible precise and considerate. Overall, this is a brilliant album from start to finish, which continues the sublime recording legacy by the greatest guitarist that we were all blessed to hear in all time. Thank you John for a lifetime of music!

Updated: 03/11/2021Posted: 03/11/2021

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JOHN MCLAUGHLIN ~ NOW HERE THIS ABSTRACT LOGIX 037 (Barcode: 700261359557) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2012 Released: 2012 This is the second studio album by iconic British guitarist / composer / bandleader John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and his 4th DimensionFind albums by this artist quartet, which includes British keyboardists / drummer Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist, Cameroonian bassist Etienne M`BappeFind albums by this artist and Indian drummer and konokol vocalist Ranjit BarotFind albums by this artist. The album presents eight original compositions, all by McLaughlin. The music is a unique mixture of Jazz-Rock Fusion with World Music elements, with a distinct Indian touch, but also Flamenco touches and other underlying elements. For McLaughlin followers this music combines everything he did in the five decades preceding this recording, including Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist, ShaktiFind albums by this artist and his extensive solo work. McLaughlin’s performances are brilliantly ageless, and his virtuosity seems to be completely unmindful of the years that passed by since he appeared on the scene. He has more energy and open-mindedness than guitarists half his age, which of course is hardly surprising to his many followers. 4th Dimension is a perfect band for McLaughlin, as it encapsulates all the elements he likes to have around when creating music. Husband supports McLaughlin most amicably, contributing some superb keyboard parts, and the rhythm section is like a good natured tornado, driving the music with enormous energy but at the same time being incredible precise and considerate. Overall, this is a brilliant album from start to finish, which continues the sublime recording legacy by the greatest guitarist that we were all blessed to hear in all time. Thank you John for a lifetime of music!

Updated: 26/10/2021Posted: 26/10/2021

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JOHN MCLAUGHLIN ~ THE BOSTON RECORD ABSTRACT LOGIX 042 (Barcode: 700261397085) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2013 Released: 2014 This is a live album by iconic British guitarist / composer / bandleader John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and his 4th DimensionFind albums by this artist quartet, which includes British keyboardists / drummer Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist, Cameroonian bassist Etienne M`BappeFind albums by this artist and Indian drummer and konokol vocalist Ranjit BarotFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by McLaughlin. The material includes a couple of tracks from the last studio album at the time “Now Here ThisFind albums with this title” and earlier compositions. The music is a unique mixture of Jazz-Rock Fusion and other elements. For McLaughlin followers this music combines everything he did in the five decades preceding this recording, including Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist and his extensive solo work. The live setting allows for extensive soloing, which offers many hair-raising moments and proves that McLaughlin is still very much the Boss, leaving his many disciples far behind. McLaughlin’s performances are brilliantly ageless, and his virtuosity seems to be completely unmindful of the years that passed by since he appeared on the scene. He has more energy and open-mindedness than guitarists half his age, which of course is hardly surprising to his many followers. 4th Dimension is a perfect band for McLaughlin, as it encapsulates all the elements he likes to have around when creating music. Husband supports McLaughlin most amicably, contributing some superb keyboard parts, and the rhythm section is like a good natured tornado, driving the music with enormous energy but at the same time being incredible precise and considerate. Overall, this is a brilliant album from start to finish, which continues the sublime recording legacy by the greatest guitarist that we were all blessed to hear in all time. Thank you John for a lifetime of music!

Updated: 30/10/2021Posted: 30/10/2021

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JOHN MCLAUGHLIN / JIMMY HERRING ~ LIVE IN SAN FRANCISCO ABSTRACT LOGIX 059 (Barcode: 700261467016) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2017 Released: 2018 This is a live album by iconic British guitarist / composer / bandleader John McLaughlinFind albums by this artist and his 4th DimensionFind albums by this artist quartet, which includes British keyboardists / drummer Gary HusbandFind albums by this artist, Cameroonian bassist Etienne M`BappeFind albums by this artist and Indian drummer and konokol vocalist Ranjit BarotFind albums by this artist and American guitarist Jimmy HerringFind albums by this artist and his Invisible WhipFind albums by this artist quintet, with violinist Jason CrosbyFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Matt SlocumFind albums by this artist, bassist Kevin ScottFind albums by this artist and drummer Jeff SipeFind albums by this artist. The resulting Fusion nonet performs eight classic Mahavishnu OrchestraFind albums by this artist tunes, all composed by McLaughlin. The music is a hyper-powerful explosion of Jazz-Rock Fusion, which pays tribute to the legendary Fusion group founded and led by McLaughlin, which in many respects defined Fusion as we know it, with very few significant developments in the genre that happened in the fifty years that followed since it was at its peak. McLaughlin’s performances are brilliantly ageless, and his virtuosity seems to be completely unmindful of the years that passed by since he appeared on the scene. He has more energy and open-mindedness than guitarists half his age, which of course is hardly surprising to his many followers. The members of his quartet, as well as the members of Herring’s Invisible Whip all play as if there was no tomorrow and the hair-rising soloing continues as an unstoppable hurricane, which should give all electric guitar oriented Fusion lovers an unforgettable listening experience. The music sounds remarkably fresh and lost nothing of its originality and ingenuity over time, and this double-trouble powerful approach proves to be extremely effective musically. Yes, they raise a hell of a racket, but what a sublime racket it is! Overall, this is a brilliant album from start to finish, which continues the sublime recording legacy by the greatest guitarist that we were all blessed to hear in all time. Thank you John for a lifetime of music!

Updated: 06/11/2021Posted: 06/11/2021

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