Search - John McLaughlin :: Electric Dreams

Some really classic tracks here

03/22/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Electric sighs" starts off in a quietly mournful intro, then goes into 23/8 time with an indian style Shankar violin solo, then shifts into a slightly faster funky tempo that feels like 4/4, but there's no way it can be (or is it the same time signature at a faster tempo?) I, for the life of a layman, couldn't figure it out; Maha-Johnny Mac breaks the rhythm up so many ways it sounds like something out of Stravinsky. But this only goes on for a few bars and then a banjo solo! All this is played with maximum feeling, of course, unlike 90% of the fusion out there. "Desire and the Comforter" has a latin middle section 10 times faster than Santana's wildest dream coming after an indian first section, followed by a funky outro. "The Dark Prince" features the fastest Jazz guitar solo I've ever heard: the thing sounds like a halestorm. Too bad the rest of the record isn't on that level, but then who the hell can even come close to it except humble Vishnu-John? Fusion, when played on this level, is truly a cerebral experience that accesses areas of the imagination untouched by other music. Here it's a balancing act, not only between the spontaneity of jazz and the energy of rock, but also indian music and progressive classical. Phew!"

Great Fusion Fun !

Örn Leifsson | Reykjavik Iceland. | 09/20/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this is one of Mclaughlins best and one of the best fusion albums of the 70's, along with Return to forevers Romantic Warrior, Al di Meolas Elegant Gypsy and Weather Reports Heavy Weather. All great masterpieces and incredibly fun music.Mclaughlins playing is great and so are his compositions, full of passion and intellect and all the other players are top musicians. Johns fusion is a mix of rock, blues, jazz and indian music (with a dash of pop in one song). And all that creates a higly original blend which is his trademark.It's great to live in a world where musicians like Mclaughlin create healthy pleasures in a cd form, thanks John."

Reaching for a different sound

Henry S. Brent | Marietta, GA USA | 06/30/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This was amazing music then... and now. This was a short-lived and overlooked ensemble. I saw them live while a student at Syracuse University and the power of the music was amazing... that transfers well to this recording. John is trying to find a new sound, while relating to his past accomplishments. The two tribute tunes to his mentor-- "Dark Prince" and "Miles Davis"-- are giving a nod to his tenure with the master, and the writing evokes Jack Johnson days, but with a more modern twist.



The use of Shankar provides the continuity between McL's efforts with the MO and with Shakti, which had been his most recent ensemble prior to this. The weaving of Indian melodic content throughout the "heads" of each tune gives the music an other-worldly feel. Fernando Saunders was a fantastic choice to succeed Ralph Armstrong-- he's very into the Jaco feel and his chops are right up there (you have to be at the top of yoor game to play with Johnny Mac) and Tony Smith has to be one of the most underrated drummers (where are you now, bud?)and was also a fantastic successor to Cobham and Walden-- a more jazz and funk rooted stylist who had monster chops and his own sound. Speaking of sound, the recording is not separated nor mixed well and the overall effect suffers: the drums get lost, but those of us who are drummers can hear what Tony is doing-- some of the polyrhythmic patterns represent the most innovative level of playing in the "fusion" realm. Watching it live gave me an appreciation of what Tony was pulling off; this recording is the only documentation of his efforts. Unfortunately, what also doesn't help is how loud Alyrio Lima is in the mix, thus confusing Tony's percussive efforts (enough with the sleigh bells, ok, Alyrio??!! They drown out the nuances in the compositions.)



Each of the tunes is attempting to play with the textures, some of the synth work is very distinctive and I've never heard anything like it since. Overall, the writing is great, "Love and Understanding" notwithstanding (pun intended and necessary-- this tune is pandering to pop at its worst... guess they were trying to get some airplay with that one... whew!).



The set winds up with McL actually getting political-- "The Unknown Dissident" (with a nice alto cameo by then-NY Session grandmaster David Sanborn) has a message behind the stated theme: the injustice in the world when those who dissent with the popular mindset are abused (and in this case, shot) for their beliefs. It is a rare nod to the notion of freedom, something that McL has never gotten across in this way before or since, but something essential to his art, and the work of every true artist in any medium.



This effort is to be applauded for its different tack... but the group had no commercial potential and didn't make it through the year. Before long, John was moving in yet another direction."