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John McLaughlin: The Heart of Things

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Verve Records
Released: 1997
Time:
 47:20
Category: Jazz, Jazz-Rock
Producer(s): John McLaughlin
Rating: *******... (7/10)
Media type: CD
Web address: www.johnmclaughlin.com
Appears with: Mahavishnu Orchestra, Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucia, Jan Garbarek
Purchase date: 1997.12.23
Price in €: 14,99



 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Acid jazz (John McLaughlin) - 8:12
[2] Seven sisters (John McLaughlin) - 10:17
[3] Mr. D.C. (John McLaughlin) - 7:07
[4] Fallen angels (John McLaughlin) - 9:29
[5] Healing hands (John McLaughlin) - 7:36
[6] When love is far away (John McLaughlin) - 4:34

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


John McLaughlin - Acoustic & Electric Guitars, Midi Guitar

Gary Thomas - Tenor & Soprano Saxophone, Flute
Jim Beard - Synthesizers, Acoustic Piano
Matthew Garrison - Bass Guitar, Fretless Bass Guitar
Dennis Chamber - Drums

Guests:
Victor Williams - Percussion
Jean-Paul Celea - Acoustic Bass on [1]

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


Recorded at Officine Mechaniche, Milan, Italy.Many great musicians experience peaks and valleys throughout their careers. Legendary guitarist John McLaughlin, however, always seems to be perched firmly at the top of his game. Whether with former Mahavishnu bandmates, trios with Paco DeLucia and Al Di Meola, or with contemporary jazz/fusion monsters like Kai Eckhardt and Trilok Gurtu , McLaughlin continues to remain the master of all he surveys. With THE HEART OF THINGS, the guitarist once again unleashes his dynamic sense of color and texture, as well as those unbelievable chops.Sounding at times like a slightly controlled hurricane, the band McLaughlin has assembled for this project is astounding. All-too-unrecognized saxophonist Gary Thomas, keyboard guru Jim Beard, drum god Dennis Chambers and meticulous bassist Matthew Garrison burst though the music and grab the listener on most every track. A prime example is the standout "Mr. D. C." (presumably for Chambers) as a torrent of drums and percussion do battle with McLaughlin's flying guitar. Later, a nice deep breath is taken with the mysterious "Fallen Angels" and, finally, the live acoustic solo of "When Love Is Far Away" makes for a transcendental ending to a powerful journey.



Although not referred to as such by name, this is a mid-'90s incarnation of the Mahavishnu Orchestra idea -- another quintet fronted by John McLaughlin playing electric jazz-rock with virtuosity to burn. As before, when the name was last floated in the 1980s, it is a very different sound, but closer to the original Mahavishnu blend than the '80s version ever got. There are rapid-fire unison statements as in the old days, but now softer and more complex in texture and definitely lower in volume. Dennis Chambers, a leftover from the McLaughlin organ trio of the early '90s, is probably the most incendiary drummer McLaughlin has featured since Billy Cobham, and he really mixes things up throughout the CD, including a sizzling one-on-one duel with the guitarist on the questionably titled "Acid Jazz." McLaughlin brandishes his technique with the old flash, yet as has been the pattern in his middle age, his tone is mellow and rounded, often heard through the transforming gauze of MIDI electronics. The experienced Jim Beard is responsible for the keyboard textures; Gary Thomas offers capable tenor, soprano and flute leads; Matthew Garrison (son of Jimmy) is the excellent electric bass player, and they are often augmented by the Latin percussion of Victor Williams. Again, one can say that McLaughlin's playing is more musical and charged with greater authority now than a quarter of a century ago, though not as hot in temperature. Even so, this is the warmest his music has been since the Mahavishnu days.

Richard S. Ginell, All-Music Guide



John McLaughlin came to prominence in 1969-70 on two seminal Miles Davis albums, In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew, and in the Tony Williams Lifetime, one of the first jazz-fusion bands. In the early '70s McLaughlin launched another legendary fusion group, the Mahavishnu Orchestra. Some of John's most extraordinary work has been on acoustic guitar, including three records with Indian/jazz group Shakti, the Mediterranean Concerto in 1990, and three outings with the Guitar Trio. McLaughlin's recent Verve releases have done extremely well at SoundScan, with The Promise chartng in the Top 10 for 10 weeks last year, and The Guitar Trio nailing down the #1 spot and remaining in the Top 10 for over 4 months. Each record has scanned over 40,000 copies. The Heart of Things represents another foray into electric jazz for McLaughlin, this time with a fiery new quintet. With a major American tour starting in November and a substantial marketing plan behind the release, expect The Heart of Things to deliver another chart-topper for McLaughlin.

from VerveInteractive.com



"Der schottische Gitarrist John McLaughlin und der US-Saxophonist Gary Thomas bilden ein prächtiges Gespann. In ihren Soli kommunizieren sie so rasant wie ausdrucksstark und verschmelzen die Energie der Fusion mit der Tradition des Hard Bop."

H. Sterner in stereoplay 12/97



The Heart of Things does get us to the center of the circle. It is from this position we can look at 360 degrees of John McLaughlin's work over the years. A strong line-up featuring McLaughlin alumni Jim Beard on keyboards and Dennis Chambers on drums is joined by electric bass player Matthew Garrison and sax player Gary Thomas for this appealing outing. The newcomers, Garrison and Thomas, front bands of their own and have their own musical ideas. They have integrated these ideas offering some solid support for HOT. Garrison supplies a strong foundation without being too busy and Thomas has that smooth, strong controlled energy in his playing.

HOT is a mixture of Mahavishnu meets Belo Horizonte meets Mahavishnu IV meets The Free Spirits meets The Promise.

McLaughlin's writing and mixing of the album clearly reflects his desire for an ensemble feel. There are solos here and there but, none of them are extended. Chambers' drumming, which has always had a tendency to overwhelm, is much more integrated as part of the mix. Chambers' force has become an issue in several of John's latest recordings and especially in concert. Total mastery of the drum kit is wasted if it becomes so powerful all subtlety is thrown out the window. Chambers shows much more control on HOT.

John's guitar tone is a bit more up-front than recently. This is a very welcome action. Still, despite his beautiful playing on this album, a more limited use of his ring-modulator would have been beneficial.

Those of you familiar with Jim Beard's appearances with Mahavishnu IV, will no doubt recognize his layered synth approach and appreciate it it for what it is- a textural background for others to excel over. Beard does make a strong appearance on piano and he and Gary Thomas open several tunes with themes which can best be described as "Spyro Gyra on Speed".

The album has a general fast-forward take no prisoners attitude. It is clear fusion. The best tune on the album, however, is "Fallen Angels". It is a sullen, slow dirge of joy. For a man who is always being accused of just being a speed demon- some of his best compositions have been slow pieces. These tunes seem to go nowhere and everywhere at the same time. (Mood Jazz). Tunes in this vein which require listening are "Mila Repa" from Que Alegria and "The Translators" from Music Spoken Here.

"Mr. DC", the Dennis Chambers showpiece, is an excuse for a duel in concert. It is much more restrained on the album but does feature quotes from The Dance of Maya and other JM snippets.

Another highlight is "Healing Hands". McLaughlin brings out his old midi-guitar and lays down a big fat statement. This tune is also a direct descendant, if not a bastard child, of Belo Horizonte's "One Melody".

HOT ends on an acoustic note as John revisits "When Love is Far Away" from Tokyo Live. It was unimpressive on that album. Its treatment here is much more fulfilling because everytime John plays solo acoustic guitar, he speaks to God. (Not God in a religious way but as in ..." Oh, God. How can he play that way) ?

The Heart of Things is the most exciting band John has had in some time and bodes well for the future of his music. This album catches the band at a moment in time but does not capture its live spark.

Walter Kolosky, smsi@erols.com
Walter Kolosky is a businessman and jazz journalist who lives in Braintree, MA, USA



Ein Hochgeschwindigkeits-Solo John McLaughlins würzt das Finale des eher gelassenen "Acid Jazz", das mit der gleichnamigen populären Strömung kaum was gemein hat. Auch sonst dominiert beim Giganten der Fusion-Gitarre der Jazz. Saxer Gary Thomas, Keyboarder Jim Beard, Bassist Matthew Dennis Chambers sind ideale Partner für die eingängige, dabei sehr komplexe Edel-Fusion. Zum Abschluß greift John McLaughlin im gefühlvollen "When Love Is Far Away" zur Akustikgitarre.

© Audio



Der schottische Gitarrist John McLaughlin und der US-Saxophonist Gary Thomas bilden ein prächtiges Gespann. In ihren Soli kommunizieren sie so rasant wie ausdrucksstark und verschmelzen die Energie der Fusion mit der Tradition des Hard Bop. Dennis Chambers trommelt hart und dicht wie gewohnt, während Pianist Jim Beard und Bassist Matthew Garrison Luft ins Fundament bringen. Die Musik hat mit modischen Strömungen nichts zu tun - souverän bewegt sie sich zwischen den Genres.

© Stereoplay
 

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