THE INNER MOUNTING FLAME

This album is outstanding. I don't even know how I even got into the Mahavishnu Orchestra. I've been listening to them and John McLaughlin forever though. I wish Inner Mounting Flame and Birds of Fire weren't so hard to find :-( I have this album on CD and first vinyl pressing of Birds of Fire, AND the not so recent release of the Lost Trident Sessions. All great albums..anyway, on with the review.

Meeting of the Spirits - 10/10 - WHOA...THIS IS ONE KICK ASS INTRO!!! I LOVE THIS SONG!! This will definitely blow your neighbor's face off.. :-)

Dawn - 8/10 - Good song, beginning is sort of a "bomb about to explode" ballad waiting to well..explode..and later..it does, which is definitely awesome

Noonward Race - 8/10 - Pretty cool song. Some people don't like the beginning. I do admit it's kind of hard to get used to, but eventually, you'll be like, "WHOA, AWESOME!"

A Lotus on Irish Streams - 10/10 - Complete change in overall mood...but this is definitely a beautiful song. Jerry Goodman, Jan Hammer, and John McLaughlin show off their classical side, this song is a good display of McLaughlin's classical Indian influence.

Vital Transformation - 10/10 - THIS SONG IS MOST DEFINITELY AWESOME. Vital Transformation is just...great. Improv is spectacular, and Billy Cobham is really showing everybody who's boss with his drum sticks. This is a REALLY GOOD fast paced song.

The Dance of Maya - 8/10 - Really funk drenched song. It's hard to tell who's soloing between Jerry Goodman and John McLaughlin. You can't really tell the difference between the violin and the guitar because they play so alike. They double each other really well too.

You Know, You Know - 8/10 - Pretty cool explosive ballad type piece. I like it a lot.

Awakening - 8/10 - Really cool beginning. Nice fast paced song, but this is probably the low point of the album...

Final score - 70/80 - 4.38 stars - Final rating - 4 stars