Mahavishnu Orchestra: Inner Worlds Part I & II
Track
Inner Worlds Part I & II
Group
Mahavishnu Orchestra
CD
Inner Worlds (Columbia CK 52923)
Musicians:
John McLaughlin (guitar and guitar synthesizer),
Stu Goldberg (keyboards), Ralphe Armstrong (bass), Narada Michael Walden (drums)
.Composed by John McLaughlin & Stu Goldberg
.Recorded: Le Chateau Herouville, France, July-August 1975
Rating: 70/100 (learn more)
Inner Worlds was a large disappointment for many Mahavishnu Orchestra fans. The band was in its third configuration and had been scaled down to a quartet. The musicianship was at the highest level, but much of the music seemed either trending toward pop or farther out than Sun Ra. Even diehard fans couldn't handle some of it.
I don't much care for "Inner Worlds Parts I & II." It is one of those songs that was basically created using computer noises the band could get out of their new-fangled synthesizers. I understand there is an intricate rhythm pattern and that putting this piece together was probably a great technological feat. The tune also has a compelling background riff that slowly overtakes the random blips and bleats. I guess that is "Part II." This music raises you into the heavens, but it cannot overcome the drag of computer noise that preceded it.
So why would I review "Inner Worlds Parts I & II" at all? Partly it is about acknowledging the experimentation of it. But mostly I was feeling nostalgic. I used "Part II" as the ending theme to my radio show Jazz Journey three decades ago.
Reviewer: Walter Kolosky
Tags: 1970s jazz · fusion · guitar
one of there best.