VISIONS OF THE EMERALD BEYOND

Perhaps it was a mistake to keep the "Mahavishnu" tag; a name that will for most people always be associated with their first line up; here the second incarnation features - alongside "Mahavishnu" as J McG he liked to call himself - Jean luc Ponty, alllegedly J McG's first choice for the band, about whom little need be said but I do think lacks Goodman's fiery improv's; Narada Michael Walden - who went on to become succesful record producer, and penned (IMHO) the best Bond song, "Licence to Kill" - on drums, who shows no fear following in Cobham's footsteps; Ralph Armstrong on bass who is powerful, funky player, at leats Laird's equal; and er.....Gayle Moran who without wishing to be unkind, is rather forgettable on keyboards - is this why there are 4 "birds" not 5 flying on the cover?

The good stuff - and it is really good - is "Lilla's Dance" with a lovely, lyrical violin passage, building to a "Dance of Maya" duel; and "Be Happy" with Ponty and the esteemed McG duelling with fine support from the rythym section. These two tracks are as good as anything ever produced under the Mahavishnu banner - honest. Other bands beware - these guys can really play. The rest of the music; OK in places, otherwise perhaps a little pretentious? Oh hang on isn't that part of the appeal?!

Good - I mean really good - stuff, 3.5 stars - but I have to round it down to 3, as the album is just too inconsistent.