Customer Reviews

Inner Worlds

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the final Mahavishnu album of the 70s, and quite different from the group's earlier work. Four songs are essentially cheesy, light r&b/funk with vocals. Some of the instrumental tracks are also more commercial than the challenging material of earlier albums.

The album's strongest tracks are "All in the Family", "Lotus Feet" and "Inner Worlds". McLaughlin does some early experimentation with a guitar synthesizer. "All in the Family" features some intense playing over an churning African-Latin beat; "Lotus Feet" would be given better performances by various incarnations of McLaughlin's other band, Shakti; and "Inner Worlds" almost sounds like an early precursor of techno.

This album is only recommended for McLaughlin completists. Otherwise stick to Mahavishnu's earlier albums.

[This review is based on the domestic reissue of the early 90s. The tracklist is identical]

The instrumentals on this album are of pretty nice quality, and I must admit John McLaughlin is a great guitar player, but in my opinion there are better albums involving John McLaughlin. Also the songs with vocals on this album don't sound that good at all, mainly because the vocals are mostly bad. Definantly do not spend the import price for this album, unless you're a huge McLaughlin fan.

I really like this album because it sounds more accessible than other Mahavishnu records. The compositions are less atonal and more melodic. Still with fiery playing, I find myself humming along. Just ignore Walden's singing, and you'll be ok