Musicians who recorded and performed with Miles Davis during his early explorations into electric instrumentation inevitably went on to form bands of their own. Few were as adept or as influential as Mahavishnu Orchestra, a globally diverse group formed by English jazz guitarist, John McLaughlin. Combining the improvisational elements of jazz with the volume and energy of rock music, this group also brought elements of Far Eastern, R&B, Blues and Classical music to the table. The Mahavishnu Orchestra created music that was often intricate and complex, performed by musicians who's virtuosity…entire summary

Billy Cobham - drums
Jerry Goodman - violin
Jan Hammer - keyboards
Rick Laird - bass
John McLaughlin - guitar

Musicians who recorded and performed with Miles Davis during his early explorations into electric instrumentation inevitably went on to form bands of their own. Few were as adept or as influential as Mahavishnu Orchestra, a globally diverse group formed by English jazz guitarist, John McLaughlin. Combining the improvisational elements of jazz with the volume and energy of rock music, this group also brought elements of Far Eastern, R&B, Blues and Classical music to the table. The Mahavishnu Orchestra created music that was often intricate and complex, performed by musicians who's virtuosity thrilled audiences and critics alike. The group had a firm grip on dynamics and was equally adept at dense, aggressive flights of feverish intensity as they were at creating moments of passionate spiritual contemplation. This diversity and technical ability dazzled audiences the world over and helped to expose jazz and world music to a younger audience. The initial "classic" lineup of the group lasted barely three years and only released two studio albums and one live recording during this era, but these recordings had a profound effect, redefining the jazz/rock fusion movement in the process.

This recording captures one of the final performances by the original lineup, who would go their separate ways at the end of this month. Fans of the bands earlier albums will be intrigued at the choice of material on this set, as it includes selections from each of the initial lineup's albums. The performance begins in an unusual manner with "Steppings Tones," a Rick Laird composition from the group's ill-fated third studio album (released 26 years later as The Lost Trident Sessions) which here serves as a prelude to a sizzling "Celestial Terrestrial Commuters." The former is based on a repeating cycle of pummeling bass notes that transition directly into the latter. Combined, they are relatively short in terms of the later era repertoire, but nonetheless feature expressive soloing from Hammer and blazing call and response sequences between Goodman and McLaughlin. This opening sequence serves as a warmup, before they venture deeper into the first composition most fans ever heard by the group, "Meeting Of The Spirits." This first 20 minutes of the set contains moments of cohesive brilliance but also displays aggression and volatility in equal measure. The interpersonal relationships in the band were strained at best during this era and those feelings permeate the performance to some degree.

Up next is "Sister Andrea," a song composed by keyboard player Jan Hammer, and it is particularly interesting here. One of the funkiest compositions in the band's cannon, they take this piece at a slightly faster clip than the familiar live album recording, propelling McLaughlin, Goodman and Hammer into areas previously unexplored, albeit on a more individual basis. The recording ends with the tail end of "One Word," one of the most compelling compositions from the "Birds Of Fire album. Unfortunately, most of this piece is missing as the recording resumes toward the end of Cobham's drum solo, seconds before the explosive conclusion. The group launches back in, increasing in speed, with McLaughlin and Goodman both blazing away in unison. With it's complicated time signature and superhuman unison playing, all contribute to an incendiary ending to this night's performance.

 collapse