ExtrapolationJohn McLaughlin | Polydor Records (1969)
If you were looking for one John McLaughlin record you might play for a
curious friend, this would be the one. Extrapolation was
McLaughlin's first album release as a leader, and it sounds as fresh
today as it did way back in 1969. From the opening strains of
Extrapolation to the closing softness of Peace Piece, this album
presents a fine modern European jazz quartet in full charge of the sounds
of their time.
Extrapolation features the under-appreciated John Surman on sax, Tony Oxley on drums and Brian Odges on bass. (Odges had just replaced Dave Holland, who was on his way to meet Miles in New York). This quartet blazes through McLaughlin's JAZZ-blues-rock compositions and forms a hodge-podge of restless rhythms and irresistible hooks. Yet, despite its freeness (not meant in a strict jazz sense), Extrapolation is also quite cogent and thematic, as most tunes effortlessly run into each other. As always with McLaughlin, all of the players are allowed to excel and this makes for a very pleasing mix. Odges is surprisingly active and some even believe Surman steals the show. Oxley was a young star who never seemed to catch on in the States, but he remains a well-respected drummer in Europe. Extrapolation also offers glimpses into the future. It presents the melody that would eventually become Follow Your Heart. We discover Arjen's Bag (named after Dutch bassist Arjen Gorter) and Pete the Poet. And don't forget about Binky. There is a bit of a beatnik sensibility to this album. It would take the world 20 years to discover how truly timeless this album was. Extrapolation is definitely a jazz record. The great traditional jazz guitarist Joe Pass didn't have much interest in Mahavishnu John McLaughlin or fusion music. But someone played him this record once, and he commented that at least this guitarist (McLaughlin) knew how to play jazz. You think? Related link: John McLaughlin Reviews @ All About Jazz
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Personnel: John McLaughlin- guitar, John Surman- sax, Brian Odges- bass, Tony Oxley- drums Style: Modern Jazz |
Published: November 13, 2002
Power, Passion and Beauty - The Story of the Legendary Mahavishnu Orchestra has been published by Abstract Logix Books. More about Walter...
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