Jazz Articles about John McLaughlin

Miles Davis: The Complete In A Silent Way Sessions

by Todd S. Jenkins
June 1, 2001

Another Miles classic re-excavated with grand results. In A Silent Way was an astonishing step further towards a fusion of jazz and rock for Miles Davis, and for jazz in general, when it was released in 1969. The acoustic instruments of Davis, Wayne Shorter, Dave Holland and Tony Williams were combined with John McLaughlin’s electric guitar, Joe Zawinul’s organ, and the twin electric pianos of Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock. Each LP side held a medley of two themes. Miles’ ...

John McLaughlin/ Mahavishnu Orchestra: The Inner Mounting Flame - Birds Of Fire

by Alan Brooks
April 1, 2001

This is a review of the similarities of The Inner Mounting Flame and Birds Of Fire, both performed by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, led by John McLaughlin, the guitarist and composer. The Inner Mounting Flame, originally released in 1971, and re-issued as a remaster in 1999, is the better of the two albums. Birds Of Fire, originally released in 1973, and re-issued as a remaster in 2000, continues some of The Inner Mounting Flame 's themes. The first track of each ...

John McLaughlin: Remember Shakti: The Believer and The Heart of Things: Live In Paris

by David Adler
December 1, 2000

Fusion guitar god John McLaughlin continues to blaze on these two exciting live releases. Remember Shakti: The Believer documents the 1999 European tour of his reconstituted Indian group, Shakti. The Heart of Things: Live In Paris captures highlights from two November 1998 shows by his high-powered fusion band. McLaughlin’s various reinventions may have produced mix results through the decades, but the music on both these records is quite brilliant.Fans of the old Shakti will thoroughly enjoy The Believer. ...

John McLauglin: John McLaughlin: The Heart Of Things; Live In Paris & Shakti; The Believer

by Glenn Astarita
October 1, 2000

Shakti: The Believer ; release date – October 3, 2000

The Believer is the follow up to “Shakti’s” 1999, 2-CD reunion set, titled Remember Shakti which to some extent, was unexpectedly mellower than what the band was dishing out back in the 1970’s. Although violinist L. Shankar is no longer with this latest rendition of the band, original member and tabla master Zakir Hussain joins guitarist John McLaughlin along with amazing electric mandolin virtuoso, U. Shrinivas and ghatam/kanjira/mridangam performer, V. ...

John McLaughlin: John McLaughlin's Shakti: The Believer / The Heart Of Things: Live In Paris

by Glenn Astarita
October 1, 2000

Shakti: The Believer

The Believer is the follow up to “Shakti's" 1999, 2-CD reunion set, titled Remember Shakti which to some extent, was unexpectedly mellower than what the band was dishing out back in the 1970's. Although violinist L. Shankar is no longer with this latest rendition of the band, original member and tabla master Zakir Hussain joins guitarist John McLaughlin along with amazing electric mandolin virtuoso, U. Shrinivas and ghatam/kanjira/mridangam performer, V. Selvaganesh.

This new release features live material ...

Miles Davis: On The Corner / Get Up With It

by Todd S. Jenkins
September 1, 2000

Columbia/Legacy is embarking upon a hot fusion reissue program, reshaping many of their classic albums via digital technology to make the roots of today’s music more relevant. Among the first reissues slated for 2000 are two of Miles Davis’ most misunderstood but oddly influential offerings, “On The Corner” and “Get Up With It”. At the “On The Corner” sessions Miles went nuts with electric eclecticism. He hooked a pickup and wah-wah pedal to his trumpet, hired three drummers and three ...

Miles Davis: In A Silent Way

by John Ballon
September 1, 2000

Miles Davis was going through exciting musical changes in 1968, listening and playing things which were leading him into the future and into In a Silent Way. His music and lifestyle were being influenced by a wave of new sounds and ideas, and he was responding deeply to the music of James Brown, Sly Stone, and Jimi Hendrix. Having already pushed acoustic jazz to the limits with his mid-Sixties quintet, Miles metamorphosed the new sounds around him, creating a work ...