Search - John McLaughlin :: Industrial Zen

One of McLaughlin's Best

Harrison Koehli | 10/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While John McLaughlin is my favourite guitarist, as my own guitar teacher once said, some of his stuff is kind of "out there." As such, while his playing and compositions with Shakti, on My Goals Beyond, The Promise, Inner Mounting Flame, etc are amazing, he's always got some stuff I haven't quite been able to "get in to."



However, Industrial Zen, perhaps his most experimental and "out there" album, is, I think, one of his best. His playing is absolutely flawless on this recording. His characteristic long phrasing, chromaticism, and speed-of-light flurries of notes are fully developed and expressive. McLaughlin solos like most of us breathe.



Right now my favourite track is For Jaco. If you're a McLaughlin fan (or just a fan of jazz, rock, or fusion) you will NOT be disappointed."

Unique Compositional Skill

PEACH | 12/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"John McLaughlin has been my favorite guitarist since the first Mahavishnu album. I realize why some people don't fathom much of his music as is the case with my number two favorite, Allan Holdsworth. Holdsworth's compositions have been described as mathematical progressions but if you listen carefully his compositions are a unique music that can't be pigeonholed. It's the same with JM. You have to listen to a lot of his music but the reward is realizing he has created his own unique music that can be labeled as fusion but the more correct label would be John McLaughlin. When you listen to the tribute albums, it reinforces what superb compositional skills JM has. Zen Industrial is another great album by JM of which there are many. If you don't like the sax and some other aspects of the album, concentrate on the compositions which are one of a kind. A strong four star effort."

JAZZ FUSION AT ITS BEST

Joseph Blauvelt | 03/29/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I LISTENED TO THIS CD , PROBABLY MORE TIMES THAN FLOATING POINT.THE MUSIC HERE SEEMS TOP BE MORE A JAZZ FEEL THAN FLOATING POINT.THE INDIA VIBE ON FLOATING POINT FEELS LIKE THE MUSICIANS ARE JUST STRETCHING OUT THEIR PARTS (LIKE A LONG JAM SESSION ).I STARTED LISTENING TO J.M. BACK IN THE 70S AND EVERY ALBUM I PURCHASED WAS JUST AMAZING.HIS GUITAIR PLAYING WAS THE BEST I HAVE EVER HEARD.THE INNER MOUNTING FLAME AND BIRDS OF FIRE SHOULD BE IN EVERYONES COLLECTION THAT LIKES(ROCK FUSION) LIKE THEY NEVER BEFORE.THESE MUSICIANS ARE THE BEST ON THE PLANET."