Customer Reviews

Natural Elements

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I do not believe there is a "best" Shakti album. All of them are brilliant and exhilarating and essential like chapters in a book. _Natural Elements_ does, however, stand out as the most lyrical and beautiful of Shakti's albums from the 70s, in my opinion. Shakti is a pluralistic group adapting some Western jazz idioms with an Indian environment, and here they also capture the widest range of moods. John McLaughlin straddles the line dividing Western and Eastern musical traditions, bridging the two with his guitar as his soul burns along the fretboard. Such is evident enough from the get-go, with "Mind Ecology", a fast-paced opener penned by McLaughlin, tearing along the pattering gallop of earthen percussion. But to celebrate their virtuosity as an end in itself would be a dishonor. "Mind Ecology", for all its speed and wild playing, exemplifies the "hidden" allure of Shakti -- the incredible virtuosity of these musicians is just a means to an end. The end of course being the articulation of an thrillingly joyful disposition, infectiously spiritual and focused. "Baby Baby Come Dance With Me" and "Happiness Is Being Together" are merry, vivacious jewels sparkling in the desert sands. The heavenly "Face to Face" and "Bridge of Sighs" slow that Shakti is just as engrossing when softened and calm. "Peace of Mind" is a spare beauty (that is unfortunately short) written by McLaughlin, where Shankar's violin renders a rapturously crying melody over gentle strumming. Definitely one of the most lovely moments in Shakti's discography. "The Daffodil and the Eagle" is exquisite, charged with the clairvoyant interplay that is typical of this group, with lead instruments and percussion entwining magnificently. Hearing them live would be the most prime way to experience the group's sheer acumen and togetherness, but for the diasporal Shakti, _Natural Elements_ is definitely essential. If you've never heard Shakti, this is as good an introduction as any.

This is by far the best Shakti record, my favorite Indian-influenced music and my second-favorite John McLaughlin record (after "Birds of Fire"). It bubbles with instrumental virtuosity and rhythmic and melodic fecundity above its great emotional and spiritual depth. (There is no such person as "Shakti McLaughlin". This is a recording of performances by the musical group Shakti which includes guitarist John McLaughlin and violinist L. Shankar--not related to sitarist Ravi Shankar.)

Also recommended: "Pentatonic Scales for the Jazz Rock Keyboardist" by Jeff Burns.

This one is the their best. Of all the Shakti recordings, I have the originals on vinyl, this one is the most stunning. I like selected tracks from some of the other albums like "Shakti - The Believer," which is a totally live recording from their European tour in 1999. But, this is by far and away their best album yet produced. A blend of the styles of Northern and Southern India and chromatic Jazz fusion. This music is inspirational, and uplifting. With the mastery of John McLaughlin and L. Shankar on violin, it will unleash a wave of a creative, musical, and spiritual energy. All that it embraces is truly a glimpse of the primal power and creativity that can be manifest in this world. This album/CD sets the standard for genre. Few musicians are capable of attaining these heights as John McLaughlin and Shakti have done here.

This one is the their best. Of all the Shakti recordings, I have the originals on vinyl, this one is the most stunning. I like selected tracks from some of the other albums like "Shakti - The Believer," which is a totally live recording from their European tour in 1999. But, this is by far and away their best album yet produced. A blend of the styles of Northern and Southern India and chromatic Jazz fusion. This music is inspirational, and uplifting. With the mastery of John McLaughlin and L. Shankar on violin, it unleashes a wave of a creative, musical, and spiritual energy. All that it embraces is truly a glimpse of the primal power and creativity that can be manifest in this world. Sets the standard for genre. Few musicians are capable of attaining these heights as John McLaughlin and Shakti have done here.

As with many farewell albums, "Natural Elements" is perhaps the finest work by Shakti.The four artists,John McLaughlin(guitar), Zakir Hussain(tabla),L. Shankar(Carnatic Violin) and "Vikku" Vinayakram( ghatam- a hollow earthen pot) are all superstars in their own rights, so this is really a "supergroup" in the sense of Blind Faith and others in the past.Shakti not only allows each one of them free reign, but highlights their talents on Tracks such as "Get Down and Shruti" and "Mind Ecology". Shakti was a pioneer in showing the universitality of music-long before it became fashionable to do so.You won't get a finer example of the genre.

This is the final recording by the original, classic, non-gimmicky Shakti (Remember Shakti being unoriginal, non-classic and gimmicky, IMHO). You absolutely *must* have this if you love adventurous, amazing music. It's more varied than either of their previous two recordings, "Shakti" and "Handful of Beauty" (my favorite, BTW), and has a heavier, rockier edge. "Face to Face" opens with one of John McLaughlin's all-time cool-a** rhythm guitar riffs. Mere mortals still quiver in their boots almost thirty years later...

This is the most beautiful music you'll ever NEED to hear. I don't want to say alot. This will heal your tired heart. This music has something the pop music of today forgot about. PURPOSE.

This particular lineup of Shakti only made three albums, all in the latter part of the seventies, Natural Elements being the third. With players like John McLaughlin, L. Shankar and Zakir Hussain, it would be hard to imagine music that sounds less than heavenly. Call it Indian/jazz fusion or whatever, it will sound as fresh in fifty years as it does now. This is elegant, spiritual and rocking stuff!

This album is little known to a criminal degree. I'm a big John McLaughlin fan, but his work with Shakti stands above just about everything he's done - and most other musicians for that matter. Every track on here is great. The two stand out tracks are definitely the album openers, however - Mind Ecology and Face to Face. The latter is probably one of my favorite tracks ever recorded. So beautiful, expansive, and uplifting. While John McLaughlin's dedication is clearly evident in every track, much of the credit for the excellence of this album obviously goes to L Shankar on the violin, whose soaring solos will cut into your soul, and Zakir Hussein whose rhythmic sensibilities seem absolutely boundless. Shakti only released three albums (not counting the Remember Shakti semi-reunion albums), and they all deserve to be a part of any music fan's collection. If you don't already own this and their other albums, and you have even a passing interest in Jazz or traditional Indian classical music, Shakti will be on regular rotation for the rest of your life. I know I haven't tired of these albums in over a decade.

What John did with Shakti was to mix jazz improvisation and themes with Indian instruments and musicans.
And he did a great job: teh first song, "Mind eecology", has a great rhythm, the drums are rocking like the hell, and the improvvisation is perfect.
The second one, "Face to Face", is still beautiful, but it has a different sound, maybe less oriental.
The next one, "Come on Baby Dance with Me" is maybe the less beautiful song on the album: maybe just bacause it has a happier sound...
The fourth song is very relaxing, it has a more Japanese sound and it's called "The Daffodil and the Eagle".
The 5th song, called "Happiness is Being Togheter" is another great one, althought is quite similar to the 3rd one. The violin improvvisations are particulary great.
On the next one, "Bridge of Sights" , John keeps the rhythm with his scalloped guitar, and hallows the violin to do great solos.
The 7th one, "Get down and Sruti", is simply the greatest jazz song I ever heard in my life: the drums keep the groove in a fantasic way, and the guitar is perfect, on the top of the other instruments.
The last one closes the album in a quiter way, more slow, relaxed.
Give this beautiful album a listen, and you'll be satiisfied.