Industrial Zen

John McLaughlin

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 1, 2006)
• Original Release Date: May 22, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Verve Fontana
• ASIN: B000F5Z6RC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #93,854 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
McLaughlin develops an intensely contemporary take on fusion here, combining with some fresh musicians while paying tribute to his fellow founders of the idiom. Updating his Mahavishnu Orchestra, the guitarist mixes electric jazz and Indian rhythms and scales with current synth and drum programming, creating a. maze of rapid lines that weave through a minefield of percolating electronics and percussion. Along with tributes to Carlos Santana and Michael Brecker, bassist Hadrien Feraud is prominent on "For Jaco," and Ada Novelli's soprano sax invokes Weather Report-era Shorter on "Wayne's Way," but all the music bears McLaughlin's trademark group virtuosity, the musicians moving fluidly in and out of complex patterns. "To Bop or Not To Be" stands out, flying atop the dense rhythmic dialogue of drummers Zakir Hussain and Dennis Chambers and bassist Matthew Garrison. There's a certain electronic sheen here, but strong personalities --McLaughlin, Feraud, and saxophonist Bill Evans--regularly break through to create intense moments. --Stuart Broomer

Product Description
Since the 1970's John Mclaughlin's Long Career Has Always Taken Mysical Turns, from the Mahavishnu Orchestra to Shakti. Here on "Industrial Zen", Mclaughlin Turns his Well Honed Skills to Jazz Fusion. He is Joined by Many Names that Brought Power-house Jazz Fusion to the Frontline During the '90's, Including Bill Evans, Gary Husband, Mark Mondesir, Vinnie Colauta and Dennis Chambers as Well as Texas Guitar Legend Eric Johnson.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of McLaughlin's Best, October 29, 2007

By	Harrison Koehli - See all my reviews

While John McLaughlin is my favourite guitarist, as my own guitar teacher once said, some of his stuff is kind of "out there." As such, while his playing and compositions with Shakti, on My Goals Beyond, The Promise, Inner Mounting Flame, etc are amazing, he's always got some stuff I haven't quite been able to "get in to."

However, Industrial Zen, perhaps his most experimental and "out there" album, is, I think, one of his best. His playing is absolutely flawless on this recording. His characteristic long phrasing, chromaticism, and speed-of-light flurries of notes are fully developed and expressive. McLaughlin solos like most of us breathe.

Right now my favourite track is For Jaco. If you're a McLaughlin fan (or just a fan of jazz, rock, or fusion) you will NOT be disappointed.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Waiting Was The Hardest Part, February 19, 2007

By	Mr. Richard D. Coreno "Mr. C" (Berea, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

The 1980s and 1990s was mostly a recording rut for John McLaughlin, as he seemed to have grown weary creatively. But there was always that one or two cuts that would keep the hopes up for fans that he had at least one more classic album to issue.

The wait is over, as Industrial Zen is that CD.

With tributes to a variety of artists - Jaco Pastorius, Wayne Shorter, Michael Brecker and Carlos Santana - and a great cast of musicians, McLaughlin takes a retrospective look at his career while (finally) forging a sound artistic path for the future.

For Jaco (Jaco Pastorius) picks up where the Trio of Doom - McLaughlin, Pastorius and Tony Williams - left off in their much too brief existence, as Hadrian Feraud's fretless bass and the percussion of Mark Mondesir & Gary Husband propels the rhythm.

The brilliant colors painted by electronica in New Blues, Old Bruise are sparked by a sizzling introduction by guitarist Eric Johnson. To Bop Or Not To Be (Michael Brecker) highlights the synthesizers and keyboards of Otmaro Ruiz and Gery Husband, respectively, and the outstanding work from Paul Chambers (d) and Zakir Hussain (tabla).

Dear Dalai Llama starts with the excellent vocals of Shankar Mahadevan & tenor sax of Ada Rouvatti and then it's off to a sound explosion that would easily be at home on the 1978's Electric Guitarist, arguably the last important release from that era's fusion movement.

I hope the obvious energy from the sessions that resulted in Industrial Zen will spur McLaughlin to forge ahead musically instead of stumbling around near the back of the field.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing mix of modern and Mclaughlin's Roots!, July 13, 2008

By	Earsby (Norman, OK United States) - See all my reviews

I highly recommend this album to drummers, guitarists, and jazz-rock fans who are tired of hearing overly funk-influenced cool jazz. Don't get me wrong, I love Jazz-Funk music but feel that what began so many years back as a challenging art form for both Jazz and Funk and Rock players alike has been delegated to a low point. Improvisational Jamband funk has all but taken hold and I enjoy the improv but have yearned for some complexity. John McLaughlin's Industrial Zen has filled the void.

I have heard quite a few of John McLaughlin's albums over the years, and John has constantly surprised me with his chameleon-like ability of changing styles depending on who he's playing with. This album is great because it shows really what McLaughlin is about. This album features incredible Indian drumming, knods to friends Wayne Shorter and the late-great Jaco Pastorius, and also manages to create fusions with incredible bass-lines (of course great guitar work) and odd-time signatures used, tastefully, creating a very nice mood despite the speed at which the proceedings are going on at.

Appropriate title: Industrial Zen.. Highly recommended!