John McLaughlin resurrected the esteemed old Mahavishnu Orchestra for his mid-'80s quintet, even getting old mate Billy Cobham to fill the drum slot on the band's first album. But this is an entirely different conception than any of the '70s Mahavishnu outfits. The sound is cooler, less strident, more thoroughly dominated by advanced electronic textures -- including a sleekly elegant digital guitar played through a Synclavier. Instead of a violin, Bill Evans contributes some swirling and sometimes bop-flavored work on saxes, and McLaughlin gets mobile but not overly combustible support from keyboardist Mitch Forman and bassist Jonas Hellborg. The homages continue; the opening of "Nostalgia" is exactly that, a throwback to "In a Silent Way" as filtered through digital gear. While this is undeniably prog-minded, beautifully played electric music, it is not terribly absorbing; the quality of the material and the intensity level aren't too high. ~ Richard S. Ginell
John McLaughlin is regarded as one of the greatest guitarists in the history of music. Making albums from the 60's through the present, his intense guitar work with The Mahavishnu Orchestra and Miles Davis gave birth to jazz/fusion. In 1984 he formed a reincarnation of sorts of The Mahavishnu Orchestra. Featuring original Mahavishnu drummer Billy Cobham, plus saxophonist Bill Evans and bassist Jonas Hellborg, this high-energy electric album is regarded as one of his best efforts and has been his most sought after album for CD reissue. It is making its worldwide CD debut! Wounded Bird Records.
Recorded at Ramses Studios, Paris, France in May 1984.
Personnel: John McLaughlin (guitar, synthesizer, Synclavier); Bill Evans (flute, soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone); Mitchel Forman (piano, Fender Rhodes piano); Katia Labèque (piano, synthesizer, Synclavier); Jonas Hellborg (bass guitar, fretless bass); Billy Bobham, Billy Cobham (drums, percussion); Hariprasad Chaurasia, Danny Gottlieb, Zakir Hussain (percussion).
Audio Mixers: Brian Risner; Jean Louis Rizet.
Recording information: Ramses Studio, Paris, France (04/1984-05/1984).
Photographer: Arthur Elgort.
Mahavishnu Orchestra: John McLaughlin (guitar, Synclavier); Bill Evans (soprano saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute); Mitchell Forman (piano, Fender Rhodes piano, keyboards); Jonas Hellborg (bass); Billy Cobham (drums, percussion).
Additional personnel: Katia Labeque (piano, keyboards, Synclavier); Danny Gottlieb, Hari Prasad Charurasia, Zakir Hassain (percussion).
Mahavishnu Orchestra - Mahavishnu Album Track Listing
Trk
Song
1
Radio-Activity
2
Nostalgia
3
Nightriders
4
East Side, West Side
5
Clarendon Hills
6
Jazz
7
Unbeliever
8
Pacific express
9
When Blue Turns Gold
Mahavishnu Music Review
Customer Mahavishnu Reviews
Average Rating: (3.6 out of 5 stars)
Mellow Mahavishnu The third (re)incarnation of the mahavishnu band leaves you as
dumb-founded as the first two. Just as much "fast stuff" as the first bands, but the new sounds, given the new technology, and the fact that "The Mahavishnu" is about 11 years older gives the record ( and the performance/Copenhagen 1984 ) a more mature, even mellow feeling.
Definately a must for true followers.
I had it on vinyl, and havn't heard it for about 16 years.
It was like meeting an old friend again. Submitted by a reviewer (Denmark) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Don't expect "Birds of Fire" or "Inner Mounting Flame" A decent enough "traditional" jazz disc - how could it be bad with John McLaughlin and Billy Cobham on it - but this is Mahavishnu Orchestra in name only.
The material included on this disc is nothing like the ground breaking "Inner Mounting Flame" or "Birds of Fire", or even like the later discs under the Mahavishnu moniker with Narada Michael Walden, such as "Visions of the Emerald Beyond."
Actually, I just purchased the Chick Corea title "Friends" for my wife (one of her faves) in the same order as this title, and enjoyed it far more.
Unless you're a completist, or like "lounge" and "trad" jazz, stay away. I give this three stars on the strength of the musicianship, but not the material. Submitted by a reviewer (Houston, TX) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Go for it! Great and cohesive playing. Very different from their previous albums.
If youré looking for the ultraenergetic
mahavishnu this ain't it.
Submitted by a reviewer (Mexico City Mexico) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
McLaughlin!!!.... wonderful!
(meraviglioso!!) Submitted by stefano.laguzzi (Italy) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
New Bottle for a Very Taste Less Wine Old fashioned jazz-rock (sorry, fusion)revival for a guitar hero who still seems to live in the seventies. What can we say else?
Than the technic of McLaughling still impress but thant it's just technic and not music with it full range of emotion, drama, and true sonic adventure? An empty celebration of revolute and forgetable past.
PS: Sorry for my poor english, my native language is French. Submitted by a reviewer (Belgium, Brussels) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 0 of 1 found this helpful.
Mellow Mahavishnu
Don't expect "Birds of Fire" or "Inner Mounting Flame"
Go for it!
New Bottle for a Very Taste Less Wine
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