BETWEEN NOTHINGNESS & ETERNITY

Between Nothingness & Eternity presents the original Mahavishnu line-up at its absolute best and is, in my opinion, one's best bet for a quintessential release by this mighty ensemble. The instrumental performances are unbelievably stellar as far as improvisation-heavy live performances go, rare mistakes only arising due to the occasional minuscule breakdown in coordination. McLaughlin, Goodman and Hammer work seemingly without end to outdo each other in pumping out stellar instrumental solos while Cobham backs them up with his furious drum pounding. Additionally, "Trilogy" and "Dream" both rank among McLaughlin's greatest compositions, perfecting and harmonizing his trifecta of complexity, catchiness and a sense of transcending into heaven. The album's only real obstacle is that the sound quality and the live mixing aren't the greatest, yet somehow this adds an approachable, garagey quality to what is obviously still a highly professional performance of amazing celestial music. Between heaven and earth, perhaps even between nothingness and eternity, McLaughlin and his compatriots succeed in providing the best of both worlds.