JOHNNY MCLAUGHLIN - ELECTRIC GUITARIST

How would you expect if musicians that you have known each from different album make a collaborative effort? If you ask me the same question, my answer is simple: it depends. Yes, it depends on who actually drives the collaborative effort - a single musician drives the others to play together his compositions in an album or each musician drives the collaboration altogether playing each or combined composition. This album represents the first category while the example of the latter is Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola and John McLaughlin.

In this "Johny McLaughlin Eelectric Guitarist", John really wants to embrace top class musicians in their respective fields. Billy Cobham - whom I knew from the first time through his album "A Funky Kind of Thing" and his truly ground breaking album "Spectrum" where he collaborated with Jan Hammer and Tommy Bolin (James Gang, Deep purple). Jerry Goodman - one of the world' best rock / jazz violin - whom I knew for the first time through his band in the 70s, The Flock. David Sanborn, Santana, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke etc. What surprised me was the inclusion of Jack Bruce (Cream). All of them are great names in music. Having listed all musicians in the album you might expect something wonderful coming out from the music.

It's not the case with this album. Yes, the music tends to be adventurous and experimental in nature but it's less tempting for me to spin the album. It's not because the composition is lousy or each musician does not express their virtuosity skillfully. I think this album is lacking in direction - what kind of music is actually this album? A contemporary jazz? Avant-garde? Improvisation and experimentation? It's not clear to me. Or, is it just a John's declaration that he is an electric guitarist? Well, everybody in the world knows that he is a great guitar player. Take a look at Santana at "Friendship" or Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke at "Do You Hear the Voices that You Left Behind ?" (7:39). It's good to hear them play, but then what this track is offering? If someone asked me a question on how good they play - I would certainly say that they play great! But, the song itself lacks of soul, I would say.

So, I would say that this album has great musicians, great performance, but it lacks music direction and soul. It's a good album for collectors / fans only and not recommended for others who do not expose to contemporary music. Keep on proggin' ..!

"The hero is an ordinary person with an extraordinary level of commitment."

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