Before I begin with the review, let me make a small introduction to what the term fusion refers to. Fusion nowadays refers to bands, corresponding to a highly technical electric jazz idiom, with extreme improvisation, hyper-complex rhythmic patterns and unisono phrases. Moreover, is considered by many people, justified in a way I believe, that is a form of music designed for musicians to musicians and nothing more. However, if we look at the way fusion music emerged during the early 70's, we will see that things were a little bit different than the above characterization explicitly implied. What was the firing point for that music to develop? The evolving interest, of young talented jazz musicians, for the new style emerging at the time, namely rock. Normally, the birth of fusion is considered to be Miles Davis' album "Bitches Brew". In my opinion, the birth of fusion
is rather the album you are curently reading it's review, with the Miles Davis album being the recording where all the musicians that created and shaped the idiom play(John, Mclaughlin, Chick corea, Herbie Hancock to name a few).
So who is this John Mclaughlin anyway? Born in Yorkshre in 1942, John moved to the states during the mid 60's highly influenced by the blues at the time. He played with Miles Davis in several gigs during that years, and emerged as a new talent in the jazz guitar world. Mclaughlin sets his own band "the mahavishnu orchestra(the name was suggested by John's guru Sri Shimnoy. It means the great vishnu), along with legendary drummer Billy Cobham and violonist Jerry Goodman. The result: Purifying fire. Mclaughlin's strange arpeggio style reverbed themes, open the album, followed by an amazing repetitive melodic phrase by the violin. And the guitar enders. I imagine the faces of all the warm blooded jazz-heads at the time listening to that record. The guitar distortion is more dirty than the one Jimi Hendrix used. Throughout the song, Mclaughlin improvises over the ostinato with Billy Cobham doubling parts of his phrases. Amazing start. The record at it's whole is a pure gem. The next song, "dawn", follows a more smooth funky jazz approach with incredible Rhodes work by keyboardist Jan Hammer. The next song is a pure fusion one. If there is a standard fusion beat for drummers, a good canditate is for sure the beat of Billy Cobham on Noonward Race. "A lotus on Irish streams" continues, and a great ballad strongly influenced by Irish folk music is created. Watchout for the amazing work of Jan Hammer in the Grandpiano. Hmmm, I think that I made a mistake. The next song's beat is probably a better canditate for a standard fusion beat. Drummers like Dennis Chambers must have listened to that tune as well as the next one, "the dance of Maya", many many times.You know you know is a mid tempo weird harmonicwise song, that calms things a little bit, until the beginning of the subsequent song. A crazy unisono phrase between cobham and John Mclaughlin, and then a furious drum solo by the master(check also Billy Cobham's album "spectrum"). And then into the beat again. I did it again, maybe this one is a better canditate for both the two already mentioned. Another drum solo and the album finishes by repeating the introductory unisono phrase. What the hell. Quite good.
Aspiration, in its simplest definition, is a lovely flame climbing Heavenward. True aspiration can and does make us feel that if God is for us, who can eventually stand against us? We feel a desire to have God on our side. But we need the aspiration to throw ourselves on God's side. The sun is the only remedy for dark clouds in the sky. Similarly, there is no other medicine than aspiration for our troubled hearts. Aspiration is the first rung of the sky-kissing ladder; Realisation is the last. True human aspiration has three intimate friends: Purification, Quietude and Intensity. Aspiration has an enemy called impatience. Aspiration is the mounting flame of our divine wish to raise ourselves to the crest and crowning of Divine Perfection. The body aspires through action. The vital aspires through struggles. The mind aspires through self-search. The heart aspires through the feeling of union. The soul aspires through the perfection of God's manifestation.
Sri Chinmoy
Enjoy
Me
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I would like to hear this - but perhaps after a few drinks.
MAFARRIMOND 11.02.2006 16:02
An introduction to another album, I would be interested in listening to. Maureen
Miles13 11.02.2006 11:58
I have never heard this I don't like Bitch's Brew at all from my middle names sake thanx for bringing this too my attention -Milt (after Milt Jackson, my parents where Jazz fans)
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