JOHN MCLAUGHLIN

The Free Spirits Trio plays live in Japan. McLaughlin plays electric guitar, fast and energetic, as in his early years. Unhappily, main music is built by Joey DeFrancesco Hammond organ. All but one compositions are written by McLaughlin. Music in total sounds as be-bop/ fusion with minimalistic sound, filled by vintage keyboards soloing.

Many compositions have a blues based structure, and even if musicianship is very competent, all album sounds very dated as for year 1994. Could attract McLaughlin collectors and searchers of vintage minimalistic jazz fusion with accent on jazzy side.

McLaughlin's acoustic trio concert, recorded live in 1989 ( London's Royal Festival Hall). How you can expect from the place and band's line-up, this is chamber very acoustic recording. Great musicianship, fantastic McLaughlin acoustic guitar technique, Spanish and classic jazz influences. Very pleasant atmosphere. All musicians are great in their job.

But - it is one more album for limited acoustic guitar music lovers. And great album. Just you can't expect fusion or even more classic jazz there. Very characteristic sound , similar to McLaughlin/DiMeola/De Lucia acoustic albums ( happily there are great rhythm section on guitarist support, so common album's sound is more diverse).

Overall - great album for dedicated listener.

Almost all-strings acoustic album by on of greatest jazz fusion guitarist. Just few brass sounds are added to small strings orchestra. McLaughlin plays excellent guitar and all music is full of Mediterranean breeze, baroque monumentalism and neoclassical cold beauty.

This album is hardly a jazzy one, even if using some elements of it. Sound is very warm and well-rounded, down tempo music is very relaxed. Some orchestrated moments bring you almost in philharmonic hall.

The centre of all album is three -part Thieves and Poets composition, other four songs are less interesting and are more fillers there. I believe that acoustic classic guitar lovers will be happy with this release, as well as McLaughlin fans. For all others album sounds a bit too polished and too far not only from jazz-rock, but even from jazz.

This McLaughlin album is a rare limited edition French release - soundtrack to a limited edition film "Molom - A Legend Of Mongolia" . All this combination sounds a bit strange, so I almost missed that album. It could be a big mistake!

Album contains 22 compositions, only around half of them is McLaughlin pieces, all others are original Mongolian folk songs played and recorded very tastefully, with all acoustic mysticism possible!

McLaughlin plays acoustic guitar , mostly in short jazz-world fusion compositions, with scent of Eurasian atmosphere.

Usually I hate soundtracks, but this one is rare exception. Don't think about it as about soundtrack at all - it sounds much more as concept album heavily based on Mongolian folk music, but transformed and melted in organic mixture of old Eurasian deserts shamanism and tasteful influence of best modern acoustic fusion.

If you noticed, I can only name this folk ( or world) elements of this music as Eurasian. The reason is there is no Central Asian music, and there is not pure SE Asian folk, but unique mix of Russian and Chinese music components. And to be fully correct, The Mongol Folk Orchestra participated in recording was not from Mongolia, but from Russian town of Ulan-Ude. All this both together presents a very unusual and interesting world fusion.

I believe that this album will be a gem for any world fusion music fan, but can attract much wider listener circles as well. Not for jazz purists for sure!!!

After a bit dangerous experiments with synthy sounds and unsuccesful sound modernisation on his previous album, McLaughlin there returned to indo-jazz fusion of his early works. The result is really better,than on previous album.

I am not sure, how many listeners really know, what indo-jazz fusion is. I just want to say that in fact it is same jazz fusion with some elements taken from Indian music. But don't be afraid to hear some soundtrack from Bollywood movie there.

In "Floating Point" you will find tastefull and intelligent mix of jazz fusion and deeply melted in it some oriental elements. Music if not innovative sounds fresh.

Album was recorded in India and beside McLaughlin local musicians participated. The result isn't a masterpiece, but at least fresh sound and hope that McLaughlin will return to form again.

At this album McLaughlin goes modern. At least, he uses classic post-bop ( which isn't modern at all) and add in it plenty of drum programming and synthesized sound.He is a great musician, because he didn't destroy the music using so risky mix. But it's pity, that the album is only very average.

The huge team of participated musicians are very competent, so technically the music is of high quality. The problem is there is no ... spirit. No soul. Uninspired musicianship.

In some short fragments you can catch pretty moments. At least, even only vocal track has it's own beauty. But generally it is more technique demonstration , trying to be modern without serious idea, what it is.

As a result, all album is listenable, but you cant find even a few melodies or moments you remember after listening. Overloaded by synthetic rhythms, in moments the music is looking as sountrack for commercials. And at the same time all sound is full of energy. Not very successful experiment.

Pos-bop-fusion high in technique and low in... musicality.

4.5 stars.I have to say that John McLaughlin's first two solo albums("Extrapolation" and "Devotion") are simply outstanding.Very different from each other but both are amazing recordings.Since the debut John has flown over to America and been playing not only with Tony Williams but he's been jamming with Miles Davis,Jimi Hendrix,Buddy Miles(Hendrix's Band of Gypsys),Larry Young and Buddy Rich.That is significant because all but Hendirix and Miles are on this album from that group,and you know that those jams influenced greatly the music that is on this album.In fact many have called "Devotion" too much of a wank-fest (pointing their finger right at McLaughlin).Yes John offers up a galore of guitar solos on this one which made me think of MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA at times. "Devotion" is my favourite track.How amazing is this tune? A nice heavy intro as the organ joins in.McLaughlin is putting on a light show here.It settles some after 5 minutes.The organ becomes the focus before 7 minutes until the guitar returns after 9 minutes. "Dragon Song" has an uptempo beat as the organ pulses and the guitar makes some noise.McLaughlin soon becomes the focus as he rips it up early and often.What an instrumental display here! So impressive. "Marbles" opens with some atmosphere until the song kicks in with drums leading the way before a minute.Guitar then organ join the driving the beat.Check out McLaughlin! Scorching guitar 3 1/2 minutes in. "Siren" is bluesy with the organ out front early.This changes around the 2 minute mark as we get a full sound with guitar out in front. "Don't Let The Dragon Eat Your Mother" is led by the organ then the guitar takes over as drums pound.A calm 3 minutes in as the organ floats to the end. "Purpose Of When" opens with bluesy guitar then he just starts to solo laying a trail of fire until the song is over.Not worthy! A must for McLaughlin fans out there.

I really feel that this debut album from John McLaughlin is a "must have" for all of his fans out there.As John was getting ready to record this "Extrapolation" album his roommate Dave Holland got a call from Miles Davis and suddenly John's intended bass player was flying to the U.S.A.. McLaughlin still had two bright young Jazz stars on board in drummer Tony Oxley and sax player John Surman,he eventually added Brian Odges to fill in on bass. I didn't think much of this the first time i heard it.I guess i was looking for something more like his "Devotion" album and this isn't nearly as dynamic or as fiery as that one.For me this is pretty much straight up Jazz but i'm sure Jazz purists would say it's in the middle between Jazz and Rock.It only took one careful listen though to reveal how intricate this record is.Especially the guitar and drumming.It really got me excited after that. "Extrapolation" opens with cymbals and drums before everyone joins in.It's not very full sounding,more intricate with all these sounds weaving in and out,especially the guitar.The sax leads 2 minutes in before the guitar returns after 3 minutes. "It's Funny" is laid back with sax leading.It's McLaughlin's turn 2 1/2 minutes in.Sax is back before 4 minutes. "Arjen's Bag" is one of my favourites.i really enjoy the sax here as the guitar picks away.Gorgeous track. "Pete The Poet" opens with the focus on the bass then the guitar and sax join in.Love the drumming 4 minutes in. "This Is For Us To Share" opens with intricate guitar.Actually John uses both acoustic and electric guitar on this tune.Sax is followed by drums and bass as it builds in intensity.Nice. "Spectrum" has some excellent guitar/sax interplay and the drumming is killer.The bass eventually becomes prominant. "Binkey's Dream" is the longest track at 7 minutes.It opens with some good guitar and bass.Sax a minute in while drums continue to impress.This is so impressive. "Really You Know" is very laid back while "Two For Two" is uptempo with the guitar eventually taking the lead with some jagged melodies.Everyone joins in after 2 minutes. "Peace Piece" is a short tune with acoustic guitar melodies throughout. I do enjoy "Devotion" more but i love how intricate this is.

In 2009 ,after ground breaking "Five Peace Band" World Tour, double live album, recording during that tour, was released. It attract attention to great figure of John McLaughlin once again. So it isn't strange, that some could be interested in John's less known albums as well.

So, there we have live album, released just before "Five Peace Band" live album was released ( I am speaking about list of John's live albums). But it happened nine years before.

From one hand, it isn't strange, that the music in both albums is different - nine years is big period of time in fusion and jazz. But it is a bit strange, that if on his live album of 2009 John McLaughlin plays electric fusion of 70-s and some almost acoustic jazz improvs scented by his electric guitar ( again - in style, more usual for 70-s). Here, in Paris concert, music is musch more modern!

But it doesn't means that it is better! It's pity, but the end of XX century in jazz was heavily influenced by acid jazz and nu-jazz, which was born on acid jazz roots. So, even in live recording from Paris we can feel strong nu-jazz influence on McLaughlin music.

It means, that even very competent musicians are playing polished jazz music with few improvs ,but with many sweet poppy melodies. Starting from very beginning, you can feel Paris atmosphere in "Seven Sisters" melancholic and sweet sound.

Generally music is more nu-jazz, than fusion. Keyboard sound is a basis, some guitar solos and sax inserts are really nice, but all music is very comfortable and very SAFE. Very nice listening, but you're always waiting for more energy or more experimentation from real jazz fusion.

Year 2008 was great in highest class fusion musicians world tours. First one of the greatest fusion band of all times RTF was re-united and visit Europe and States with series of great concerts. I visited very first of them, and it was really great music of great musicians! Later their live show was issued as double CD ("Returns", 2009). The album became a great evidence and contained perfectly played great collection of their best songs ( of their second, more "heavy" line-up).

And just few monthes later another fusion legend John McLaughlin confirmed his world tour with Chick Corea ( member of re-united earlier RTF as well) and three more great jazz musicians! So, I saw them during 2008 fall, and ( belive me, it wasn't easy after I saw reunited RTF some monthes earlier!) was absolutely impressed by their music!

In fact, both bands have many things in common ( incl. very recognisable keyboard /piano sound ,played by Chick Corea in both cases). But there are enough differences as well: Five Peace Band is much more jazzy, more acoustic and plays more improves! And , as in case with RTF, a year later live double CD was released as well!

So, I gave 5 stars to great RTF "Returns" 2 CD album earlier, but McLaughlin-Corea's Five Peace Band is even better!!!

First of all, McL album is much more warmer. Not energy and power demonstration, as in case of RTF last concert album, but more groove and some drive, in good jazz tradition. McLaughlin electric guitar is a bit traditional, but in best traditions of fusion from 70-s. All the band as well is more jazzy, than in case of RTF, so all in all you have there more jazz oriented fusion.

Perfect album, I think one of the best live fusion album of the year 2009.