VISIONS OF THE EMERALD BEYOND

Mahavishnu Orchestra phase III opens up with an electric summoning of unseen stratospheric forces accompanied by a spiritual choral arrangement with crashing drums and cymbals, but for all intents and purposes was it's last true incarnation. A reduced version of the full orchestral concept introduced on Apocalypse ( which McLaughlin refers to as the "true" Mahavishnu Orchestra), this version still incorporates McLaughlin`s scorching electric guitar runs along with the almost compulsory insane time signatures, polyrythms and polymodes which reassure us that McLaughlin is far from finished with loud guitars! A foray into the jazz- funk realm is apparent especially on tracks like Can't Stand Your Funk, Cosmic Strut and the funky blues track Lila's Dance with that beautiful melodic piano intro. Pastoral is an acoustic piece and one of the gems of this almost entirely electric album. The main players Jean-luc Ponty on violin, Gayle Moran (later of RTF) on keys, ex- mowtown session-man Ralph Armstrong on bass and Narada Michael Waldin on slashing drums ( he wasn't as powerful as Cobham but was more than comfortable playing at speed of light tempos) stand out well individually within the framework of the orchestra concept McLaughlin introduced with Mahavishnu Orchestra phase I. On the final spacey track Pegasus/On Our Way Home To Earth we find McLaughlin experimenting with guitar snths for the first time on record, something he over did on the following atrocious Inner World's album. If you are a fan of the first two studio albums you`ll have no problem appreciating some, if not all of this rather interesting work although it comes no where close to the brilliance and magic of these earlier legendary recordings.