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Jazz Articles about L. Shankar

About L. Shankar

296

Album Review

John McLaughlin and Shakti: Natural Elements

Read "Natural Elements" reviewed by Walter Kolosky

by Walter Kolosky
November 20, 2002

Shakti was really the world's first World Music super group. The only problem was that no one knew it yet! The group's live performances were mesmerizing, but Columbia couldn't give the albums away. Natural Elements, from 1977, was the third and last Shakti album. It offered a more cohesive and structured presentation in terms of themes and shorter tunes. The group attempted to make the music more accessible by including pleasing hooks and some humor, but there was no chance ...

403

Album Review

John McLaughlin with The One Truth Band: Electric Dreams

Read "Electric Dreams" reviewed by Walter Kolosky

by Walter Kolosky
November 17, 2002

The last three minutes of “Desire and the Comforter" from Electric Dreams say it all about John McLaughlin. He just tears apart his electric guitar with cascades of funk, blues, rock, jazz, and Far-Eastern scales. Every strike of a string has individual meaning. His guitar soars above the chord changes and captures the spirit of the music. He leaves space (or texture) where it should be left. Like no other guitarist on earth, John McLaughlin knows when not to play, ...