John Mclaughlin Trio

John McLaughlin - After The Rain (1995) {Verve 314 527 467-2}
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Polydor / PolyGram / Verve | 314 527 467-2

British guitarist John McLaughlin's spiritual initiation into the American jazz scene came as a member of drummer Tony Williams' Lifetime–as futuristic an organ trio as you'd ever want to hear. During their two years together, Williams, McLaughlin … Full Descriptionand organist Larry Young scandalized the jazz and rock communities alike, yet what they documented on EMERGENCY and TURN IT OVER endures as a visionary paradigm of collective improvisation.

On AFTER THE RAIN, McLaughlin reintroduces the trio format (with Hammond organ wizard Joey DeFrancesco), and pays homage to one of his major influences, John Coltrane, by collaborating with Trane's legendary drummer, Elvin Jones. In "Afro Blue," McLaughlin's single-note phrasing and sudden rhythmic outbursts reflect his affinity for Trane's approach, while he performs the ballad "Naima" with tender understatement. The whole band really comes together on "Tones for Elvin Jones." DeFrancesco's voluble solo sets the pace, and McLaughlin responds with patient thematic development, until he finally whips out some trademark runs, rousing Jones to a fine emotional lather.

Recorded at Clinton Studios, New York on October 4-5, 1994.

Personnel: John McLaughlin (guitar); Joey DeFrancesco (Hammond B-3 organ); Elvin Jones (drums).

Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, John McLaughlin - The Guitar Trio (1996)
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© 1996 Polydor / PolyGram / Verve | 533 215 - 2
Jazz / World Fusion / Flamenco

Guitar Trio is an excellent collaborative effort from three of the finest jazz guitarists of the post-rock & roll era: Paco de Lucía, John McLaughlin, and Al di Meola. Throughout the record, the trio doesn't just showcase their instrumental skills; they demonstrate their musicality. This is sympathetic, emotional musicianship, where each musician complements each other instead of trying to out-do the other. For jazz guitar fans, it rarely gets more exciting than Guitar Trio.

Essential: a masterpiece of fusion music
The day I heard these three musicians, I was literally "combed back." Well, is that this concert became part of the essential in guitar history (long before fashion "unplugged").

Loose and spontaneous, this (mainly) live album is a meeting of three of the greatest guitarists in the world for an acoustic summit the likes of which the guitar-playing community rarely sees. Broken up into three duo and two trio performances, Friday Night in San Francisco catches all three players at the peaks of their quite formidable powers.