APOCALYPSE

The genuine spirit of the Mahavishnu Orchestra was the white hot intensely fused mayhem that appeared on the albums Inner Mounting Flame and Birds Of Fire and when this original five some of McLaughlin/Cobham/Laird/Hammer/Goodman broke up the good name should have been laid to rest. But maybe because they split up so acrimoniously guitarist and founder John McLaughlin felt he had something to prove and that the Mahavishnu Orchestra was his vehicle regardless of the passengers. This album is more like a bus and as nondescript as one yet not as functional, and/or as accessible. George Martin comes in to produce what is a very over indulgent orchestrated affair which has done little for me and simply annoys the hell out of me, and even though McLaughlin continued in the more traditional format after this album with piss poor results and the occasional positive this album is a largely forgettable piece serving little purpose. But hey, don't take my word for it get it and see for yourself. And if you loved the early Mahavishnu Orchestra then you might just hate this or even like it a little bit but it will never be played too often that I can assure you.