''Liberation Time'' is a studio album by British jazz guitarist
John McLaughlin. The album was recorded in various locations and released on 16 July 2021 via
Abstract Logix
Abstract Logix is an American record label, based in Cary, North Carolina, which specializes in jazz fusion, world and jam band music. As of mid 2023, Abstract Logix has released 70 titles from musicians spanning the globe. In 2019 they were vote ...
. The album's personnel includes members of McLaughlin’s current ensemble named 4th Dimension: Gary Husband on drums and piano, Etienne Mbappé on bass, Ranjit Barot on drums and Konokol vocals—in addition to invited musicians.
Reception
Michael Ullman of ''
The Arts Fuse
''The Arts Fuse'' is an online arts magazine covering cultural events in Greater Boston, as well as Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New York.
The Arts Fuse has published more than 2,000 articles and ...
'' stated, "The disc is his defiant, even occasionally joyous, response to the Covid lockdown. In his notes, the guitarist is determined to be positive."
Elliot Marlow-Stevens of ''
Jazz Journal
''Jazz Journal'' is a British jazz magazine established in 1946 by Sinclair Traill (1904–1981). It was first published in London under the title ''Pick Up'', which Traill founded as a locus for serious jazz criticism in Britain.Roberta Freund S ...
'' wrote, "Drawn from inspiration found during the isolation of the coronavirus pandemic, McLaughlin’s latest album demonstrates his enduring skill as one of fusion’s most important figures."
James Hale of ''
DownBeat
''DownBeat'' (styled in all caps) is an American music magazine devoted to "jazz, blues and beyond", the last word indicating its expansion beyond the jazz realm that it covered exclusively in previous years. The publication was established in 1 ...
'' commented, "A sub-40-minute John McLaughlin recording that includes two solo piano tracks by the leader is bound to be frustrating. Add a pair of band recordings that echo vintage Mahavishnu Orchestra rave-ups, one of which includes a guitar solo filled with ridiculous technique, and you have a recipe for considering what might have been."
Track listing
Personnel
*John McLaughlin – guitar
(tracks 1-3, 5, 7), piano
(tracks 4, 6)
*
Julian Siegel
Julian H. Siegel (born 1966) is a British jazz saxophone and clarinet player, and a composer and arranger, described by ''MOJO Magazine'' as "One of the UK's most creative saxophonists".
Siegel has toured and recorded with Greg Cohen and Joey Ba ...
– tenor saxophone
(track 5)
*
Gary Husband
Gary Husband (born 14 June 1960) is an English jazz and rock drummer, pianist, keyboard player and bandleader. He is also a composer, arranger, producer and educator.
Husband was a member for 16 years of John McLaughlin's group The 4th Dimen ...
– keyboards
(tracks 1, 3), drums
(track 7)
*Oz Ezzeldin – piano
(track 5)
*Roger Rossignol – piano
(track 2)
*Sam Burgess – bass
(tracks 1, 7)
*Etienne Mbappe – bass
(track 3)
*Jérôme Regard – bass
(track 5)
*
Vinnie Colaiuta
Vincent Peter Colaiuta (born February 5, 1956) is an American drummer known for his technical mastery who has worked as a session musician in many genres. He was inducted into the ''Modern Drummer'' Hall of Fame in 1996 and the ''Classic Drumme ...
– drums
(track 1)
*Jean-Michel Aublette – drums
(track 2), bass
(track 2)
*
Ranjit Barot
Ranjit Barot is an Indian film score composer, music director and arranger, drummer, and singer based in Mumbai, India. He is a long-time associate of A. R. Rahman.
John McLaughlin has described him as one of the "leading edges" in drumming.
...
– drums
(track 3), Konokol vocals
(track 3)
*Nicolas Viccaro – drums
(track 5)
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
2021 albums
John McLaughlin (musician) albums