VISIONS OF THE EMERALD BEYOND

I'm sure that after reading this review many members will strongly disagree with me, being that most of the MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA consider "Birds of Fire" as the greatest artistic expression of McLaughlin and company, but I have to be honest with the visitors who read this review, and most important have to be honest with me, so I will proceed.

I read reviews in which the authors describe the original MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA formation as close to perfection, also others who believe that after Goodman, Cobbham and Hammer left, the band should had changed the name, I respect all this opinions, but I respectfully disagree, in my opinion "Visions of the Emerald Beyond" is by far the best album of this band.

It's true that Goodman is a force of nature and a brilliant performer, but the addition of Jean- Luc Ponty, with his amazing classical formation and melodic style, added the melodic component that MAHAVISHNU required,. they ceased to be mainly a Jazz band that adds other genres, to be a Progressive band that completely blends Jazz, Rock and even Classical music with a delicate touch, less frenetic than the previous incarnation, but I believe much more coherent.

Until "Apocalypse", I respected MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA and John McLaughlin very much, but they never convinced me completely, lets remember I rated "Birds of Fire" with 3.5 stars but being that this is impossible in our system, played with the possibility of 3 or 4 stars, but due to the importance of the album and the skills of the musicians, went for the higher rating.

As I said before, MAHAVISHNU sacrifice the Free Jazz spirit they had, but the price they paid was fair, they became a more structured, solid and melodic band that is easier to listen by non Fusion fanatics like me, with more pleasure and understanding; If before I listened an album and the skills gained my respect, now the music itself is the one tat captures me, the mystic beauty combined with Jazz, Rock and Classical is closer to my taste as Symphonic listener.

The whole album has really impressed me, but my favourite songs are:

the openers "Eternity Breath Part I and II" are two sides of the same coin, the strength of McLaughlin's guitar joins Ponty's melodic sense in the middle point between both musicians, each one playing in his own style but the second one making it softer, if Goodman threw away all the force of his violin, Ponty plays in a more subtle and structured mood, simply fantastic, and if we add the mysterious chants, we get two masterpieces.

"Can't Stand your Fun" is a delightful song from start to end, the Funk element added by the band places us before unexplored territory by MAHAVIDSHNU, but this doesn't mean they forget their Jazz roots and Rock component. They found the perfect equilibrium with the brilliant participation of Michael Walden, who doesn't make me miss Cobbham.

"Pastoral" is the confirmation that we are before a different band, Ponty performs a breathtaking solo in which the elements of Classical and Jazz combine as if both genres were created to fuse in some moment, the musicality and strong melody are the trademark of this new MAHAVISHNU.

"Faith" is one of those short racks that I wish could be turned into an epics, even when the band adds everything they have in their repertoire, the song is absolutely structured and coherent, no abuse of jamming, they follow a book adding their own talent..

And of course I can't end this review without mentioning "Earth Ship", an incredibly beautiful melody with Ponty adding his experimental violin and some chants in the vein of "Magma", another mystical contribution.

The rest of the tracks are in the same level, but I had to choose only the ones I was really impressed with, because I'm not a Fusion expert, but a guy who recognizes quality but overall knows what is closer to his taste, and loved this album from the first to the last note.

It's unusual for me to rate an album without any doubts, but in this case I have no doubts, "Visions of the Emerald Beyond" deserves five solid stars....At least in my book.

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