Search - John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension :: To The One

To The One
John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension
To The One
Genres: Jazz, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (6) - Disc #1

With his new album To The One, iconic guitarist, composer and 2010 Grammy Winner John McLaughlin looks backwards and forwards simultaneously. The six original songs are hauntingly evocative - with roiling rhythmic swells, ...  more »

     
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CD Details

All Artists: John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension
Title: To The One
Members Wishing: 4
Total Copies: 0
Label: Abstract Logix
Original Release Date: 1/1/2010
Re-Release Date: 4/20/2010
Genres: Jazz, Pop
Style: Jazz Fusion
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 700261290829

Synopsis

Product Description
With his new album To The One, iconic guitarist, composer and 2010 Grammy Winner John McLaughlin looks backwards and forwards simultaneously. The six original songs are hauntingly evocative - with roiling rhythmic swells, modal expanses, and telepathic group interaction echoing the profound influence of John Coltrane's 1965 spiritual jazz masterpiece A Love Supreme. The music of To The One was set down in the studio with very few overdubs, by McLaughlin's current performing outfit, the Fourth Dimension: Gary Husband (keyboards, drums), Etienne M'Bappe (electric bass), and Mark Mondesir (drums). Compositional devices clearly inspired by Coltrane are fused with elements of McLaughlin's own multifaceted approach, all delivered with a group empathy and shared vision that harkens back to Coltrane's fearless mid-'60s quartet of Elvin Jones, McCoy Tyner, and Jimmy Garrison. The effect of Jones' kaleidoscopic approach to rhythm and drumming is especially felt, brilliantly recast and explored via McLaughlin's gift for complex metrical structures.

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CD Reviews

Another gem from the guitar master
Bodhi Heeren | Copenhagen | 04/20/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hailed as a tribute to one of John McLaughlin's biggest heroes, the illustrious John Coltrane, this rather short album (40 min.s)is slightly more jazzy than its predecessor, the excellent "Floating Point".



Recorded with his present band 4th. Dimension it features Mark Mondesir on drums, while the versatile Gary Husband (Allan Holdsworth, Jack Bruce, Robin Trower)shines on keys and drums. With a new stellar bassplayer Etienne M'Bappe, taking over from Hadrien Feraud and Dominique di Piazza, and doing so in finest style.



Lots of fine interplay and fine soloes, the record brimming with inspiration, good chemistry and mutual respect amongst the musicians.



The compositions might not be the most poignant ever from John's creative mind, though the title track is another of those hauntingly beautiful Mclaughlin ballads. Anyway this brilliant release shows that he - like his friend Jeff Beck - just keeps getting better and better. Still dazzling virtuosity, still a deep spiritual undercurrent that certainly can bring Coltrane to mind.

"
Greatness Sinks in Slowly
Walton | New Mexico United States | 04/30/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)

"It took me several listenings to really appreciate this one from the master, John Mclaughlin. Innovation abounds in what could be his best effort since the Mahavishnu Orchestra's Birds of Fire in 1973. In some ways the music is reminiscent of recent works Floating Point and Industrial Zen, but there is an originality and depth of emotion present in To The One that I have not felt in Mclaughlin's music since the first Shakti album came out in the mid-70s. If there is such a thing as spiritual channeling, John Mclaughlin has found the link to John Coltrane. Bravo to the greatest guitarist known to me!"
Mclaughlin still has "it"
lee morgan | NYC, NY United States | 05/25/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)

"While not necessarily charting new territory with this release, there's a concise, finely honed quality to his playing and to the arrangements that provide a clarity to John's music that transcends mere licks or streams of notes tossed off at high velocity. His adept grasp of the digital studio and the Mac-based nuances of recording in this "new" era provide a sonic landscape that is as clean as the one Manfred Eicher has created for ECM but not nearly as dry or airless. His compositions with this band (4th dimension) have become true vehicles for his sound and ensemble playing. While we all probably have our favorite McLaughlin ensembles (from Shakti to the trios to the band w Joey D and Elvin Jones to Mahavishnu), this one is worth noting and well worth owning."