Birds of Fire

Jazz plus prog rock can be a recipe for migraine — or at least the definition of “hard work” music. But, while this isn’t exactly The Carpenters when it comes to instant soothing, John McLaughlin and co’s work here has an instant impact that you don’t need to know what a diminished 13th is to appreciate. McLaughlin was not long out of Miles Davis's band, and Rick Laird (bass), Billy Cobham (drums and percussion), Jan Hammer (keyboards) and Jerry Goodman (violin) were rising stars of the jazz / rock fusion world. The technical ambition on this culmination of that lineup’s work is huge, but crucially so is the passion: and above all, McLaughlin’s playing is closer to the spirit of Hendrix than to any jazzer: it’s about manipulating elemental forces, firing electricity from his fingers, dazzling the senses at least as much as the intellect. It’s even, occasionally, just straight ahead beautiful!