JOHN McLAUGHLIN & THE 4TH DIMENSION — The Boston Record (2014) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

John McLaughlin toured the U.S. during the summer of 2013 with his multi-cultural band the 4th Dimension, which included Gary Husband on keyboards and drums, Etienne Mbappe on bass, and Ranjit Barot on drums. The final concert in Boston, held at the Berklee College of Music, was recorded for live release. This fiery set features pieces from McLaughlin's then-recent albums Now Here This and To the One, but also sees him revisiting one of his classic Mahavishnu Orchestra songs, "You Know, You Know." Steve Leggett
Tracklist :
1    Raju    8:34
 John McLaughlin
2    Little Miss Valley    9:15
 John McLaughlin
3    Abbaji    6:36
 John McLaughlin
4    Echos From Then    8:09
 John McLaughlin
5    Señor C.S.    2:49
 John McLaughlin
6    Call & Answer    9:05
 John McLaughlin
7    Maharina    4:54
 John McLaughlin
8    Hijacked    6:38
 John McLaughlin
9    You Know You Know    5:52
 John McLaughlin
Credits :
Bass – Etienne M'Bappe
Drums, Keyboards – Gary Husband
Drums, Voice – Ranjit Barot
Guitar – John McLaughlin

JOHN McLAUGHLIN — Black Light (2015) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist
1    Here Come The Jiis    6:29
2    Clap Your Hand    6:02
3    Being You Being Me    5:43
4    Panditji    6:18
5    360 Flip    6:37
6    El Hombre Que Sabia    5:39
7    Gaza City    4:18
8    Kiki    5:56
Credits :
Bass – Etienne Mbappe
Drums – Gary Husband, Ranjit Barot
Guitar, Composed By – John McLaughlin
Keyboards – Gary Husband

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH — Wardenclyffe Tower + 3 (1992-2008) RM | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1992 release features Holdsworth in conversation with usual compatriots Jimmy Johnson, Chad Wackerman, and Gary Husband. Keyboards are provided not only by Steve Hunt, but also by both Wackerman and Husband. Husband in particular demonstrates that his facility on the keyboards is equal to his skill on the drums. Despite the all-star cast of characters, there are certain peculiarities to Wardenclyffe Tower that prevent it from being numbered among Holdsworth's best work. One very obvious oddity is the strange and ill-advised ending to the opener, "5 to 10," which concludes with a toilet flushing and an annoying voice-over. Mistakes in judgment aside, there is something formless about this album, something that blurs the tracks together in a meaningless way. Holdsworth has always been more of a distinctive than a strong composer, and the batch of tunes that he contributes here is not very compelling. The title track, with its power-chord verse, and his collaboration with singer Naomi Star, "Against the Clock," are his strongest moments. The presence of Hunt's "Dodgy Boat" helps but it is not enough to elevate this album to the level of Holdsworth's past successes. This is not to say that there is not meaningful music on Wardenclyffe Tower, because there is. "Against the Clock," which features not only Star's voice but also the drums of Vinnie Colaiuta, is one such success. Holdsworth makes use of the SynthAxe guitar synthesizer on several tracks on Wardenclyffe Tower, the most effective use of which is here, where his solo emerges from empty space in a constantly accelerating fashion, like a boulder rolling down a hill (although Holdsworth's ascending line sets forth the impossible scenario of falling upwards). All in all, however, there is a lack of dynamic movement in the soloists and the compositions in general. Of value to Holdsworth completists, but not of much interest to casual fans. Daniel Gioffre  

Tracklist :

1 5 To 10 5:36

Bass – Jimmy Johnson 

Drums – Chad Wackerman

Guitar, Synthaxe, Soloist [Guitar] – Allan Holdsworth

Soloist [Keyboards] – Steve Hunt

Voice [Jazz Fan] – oel (The Demon Barber) Schnebelt

Written-By – A. Holdsworth

2 Sphere Of Influence 5:58

Bass – Jimmy Johnson  

Drums – Gary Husband

Guitar, Soloist [Guitar] – Allan Holdsworth

Soloist [Keyboards] – Steve Hunt  

Written-By – A. Holdsworth 

3 Wardenclyffe Tower 8:44

Bass – Jimmy Johnson 

Drums – Chad Wackerman

Guitar, Synthaxe, Soloist [Synthaxe] – Allan Holdsworth

Soloist [Keyboards] – Gary Husband

Written-By – A. Holdsworth

4 Dodgy Boat 5:37

Bass, Soloist [Bass] – Jimmy Johnson 

Drums – Gary Husband

Guitar, Soloist [Guitar] – Allan Holdsworth

Keyboards, Soloist [Keyboards] – Steve Hunt  

Written-By – S. Hunt 

5 Zarabeth 6:31

Bass – Jimmy Johnson 

Drums – Chad Wackerman

Guitar, Soloist [Guitar] – Allan Holdsworth

Keyboards, Soloist [Keyboards] – Steve Hunt 

Written-By – A. Holdsworth 

6 Against The Clock 4:58

Bass – Jimmy Johnson 

Drums, Soloist [Drums] – Vinnie Colaiuta

Synthaxe, Soloist [Synthaxe] – Allan Holdsworth

Vocals – Naomi Star

Written-By – A. Holdsworth 

7 Questions 4:07

Bass – Jimmy Johnson  

Drums, Keyboards – Chad Wackerman

Guitar, Soloist [Guitar] – Allan Holdsworth

Written-By – C. Wackerman 

8 Oneiric Moor 1:43

Guitar – Allan Holdsworth

Written-By – A. Holdsworth 

- Bonus Tracks - 

9 Tokyo Dream 5:05

Bass – Jimmy Johnson  

Drums – Chad Wackerman

Guitar, Synthaxe – Allan Holdsworth

Keyboards – Gordon Beck

Written-By – A. Holdsworth 

10 The Unmerry Go Round Part 4 3:01

Bass – Jimmy Johnson 

Drums – Chad Wackerman

Guitar – Allan Holdsworth

Soloist [Piano] – Gordon Beck

Written-By – A. Holdsworth 

11 The Unmerry Go Round Part 5 1:58

Bass – Jimmy Johnson 

Drums – Chad Wackerman

Guitar, Guitar [Baritone] – Allan Holdsworth

Written-By – A. Holdsworth 

GARY HUSBAND - Dirty & Beautiful Vol. 1 [2010]

Fusion isn't as plentiful as it was back in the 1970s, which was the golden age of fusion just as the '30s and early '40s were the golden age of swing and the mid- to late '40s and '50s were the golden age of bop. But noteworthy fusion can still be found if you know where to look for it, and Gary Husband's Dirty and Beautiful, Vol. 1 is an example of noteworthy 21st century fusion. An impressive cast of fusion icons joins the British keyboardist/drummer/composer on this 2010 release, including guitarists Allan Holdsworth and John McLaughlin and keyboardist Jan Hammer; guitarist Robin Trower, who is best known for hard rock and blues-rock, is also on board. With such a cast, one would expect five-star results. But Dirty and Beautiful, Vol. 1 falls short of exceptional, although it's still an enjoyable, solid outing as well as a fairly diverse one. This 51-minute CD, which is dominated by Husband's original material, has its more aggressive moments (including "Ternberg Jam" and "Dreams in Blue"), but many of the tunes are on the reflective, contemplative side; that is certainly true of "Bedford Falls," "Afterglow," "The Maverick," "Averstone Jam," and the mysterious "Boulevard Baloneyo." And Husband reminds listeners that quality fusion, like quality bop, quality Dixieland, or quality swing, isn't just about pyrotechnics -- which is why there is a lot of lyricism on this album to go with all the chops and technical proficiency. Fusion enthusiasts will appreciate the amount of nuance that Husband and his soloists bring to Dirty and Beautiful, Vol. 1. by Alex Henderson  
Tracklist:
1 Leave 'Em On  4:32
Bass – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Gary Husband
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Keyboards – Jan Hammer
Written-By – Allan Holdsworth
2 Bedford Falls  3:20
Bass – Laurence Cottle
Drums – Gary Husband
Keyboards – Gary Husband
Written-By – Gary Husband
3 Between The Sheets Of Music  3:32
Bass – Jimmy Johnson 
Drums – Gary Husband
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Violin – Jerry Goodman
Written-By – Jan Hammer, Anthony Smith
4 Yesternow - Preview  0:57
Bass – Livingstone Brown
Drums – Gary Husband
Guitar – Robin Trower
Written-By – Miles Davis
5 Afterglow  2:15
Keyboards – Gary Husband
Written-By – Gary Husband
6 Dreams In Blue  10:12
Bass – Jimmy Johnson 
Drums – Gary Husband
Guitar – John McLaughlin
Keyboards – Gary Husband
Written-By – Gary Husband
7 Ternberg Jam  3:01
Bass – Jimmy Johnson 
Drums – Gary Husband
Keyboards – Gary Husband
Written-By – Gary Husband
8 Moon Song  4:32
Bass – Laurence Cottle
Drums – Gary Husband
Guitar – Steve Hackett
Keyboards – Gary Husband
Written-By – Gary Husband
9 Swell  0:45
Drums – Gary Husband
Keyboards – Gary Husband
Written-By – Gary Husband
10 The Maverick  4:53
Bass – Steve Price
Drums – Gary Husband
Guitar – Steve Topping
Written-By – Steve Topping
11 Boulevard Baloneyo  7:42
Bass – Jimmy Johnson 
Drums – Gary Husband
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Keyboards – Gary Husband
Written-By – Gary Husband
12 Alverstone Jam 5:22
Bass – Mark King
Drums – Gary Husband
Keyboards – Gary Husband
Written-By – Gary Husband, Mark King
Credits:
Gary Husband (Drums and Keys)
Allan Holdsworth (Guitar)
John McLaughlin (Guitar)
Robin Trower (Guitar)
Steve Hackett (Guitar)
Steve Topping (Guitar)
Jan Hammer (Keyboards)
Jerry Goodman (Violin)
Jimmy Johnson (Bass)
Mark King (Bass)
Laurence Cottle (Bass)
Livingstone Brown (Bass)
Steve Price (Bass)

GARY HUSBAND - Dirty & Beautiful, Vol. 1

 [2010] Abstract Logix ‎/ CBR320 / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

JOHN McLAUGHLIN & THE 4th DIMENSION - Now Here This [2012] FLAC

For anyone who's paid attention to John McLaughlin's recorded output since the turn of the century, it's obvious that he's been on a creative streak unequaled since his days as a Miles Davis sideman and his early Mahavishnu Orchestra recordings. Whether it's his two Remember Shakti sets, or the guitar-and-strings offering that was Thieves and Poets, the Indian carnatic intensity of his Floating Point band, or his forays into fiery, improvisational jazz-rock terrain on Industrial Zen, the evidence is clear. With his latest band, the 4th Dimension, McLaughlin has been on a tear. The band's first offering, To the One, is a direct jazz-rock investigation of John Coltrane's influence on McLaughlin's musical thinking. Now Here This is a knottier jazz-rock fusion offering -- with all the positive connotations of that word and none of the negative. Keyboardist Gary Husband and Cameroonian über-bassist Etienne M'Bappé are holdovers from To the One, while drummer Mark Mondesir has been replaced by Ranjit Barot, who helmed the kit on Floating Point. McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension marry propulsive prog rock to Indian modalities to serious grooves (thanks in no small part to M'Bappé's wildly funky, virtuosic bass playing and Barot's triple-timed breaks and fills). Check opener "Trancefusion" for evidence of kinetic, infectious stop-and-start fusion that keeps rock and jazz in dynamic tension. "Riff Raff" careens with funky bass and keyboard interplay and massive guitar and drum kit grooves. "Echoes from Then" showcases McLaughlin's frenetically rhythmic rock soloing on an extended bass and keyboard vamp, while "Call and Answer" allows Husband to show off his post-bop chops in fluid right-hand flourishes. For balance, there are a couple of mellower cut such as "Wonderfall" (with lovely, languid bass work from M'Bappé) and "Not Here, Not There," a more R&B-oriented, midtempo, jazz-funk vamp that features lyric, emotive playing from McLaughlin. "Guitar Love" is a more rock-based jam, while closer "Take It or Leave It" mines Indian harmony, complex syncopation, and spacey funk with intuitive guitar and keyboard exchanges. Now Here This not only continues the excellent run of albums McLaughlin's amassed in the 21st century, it also displays the 4th Dimension not as a group of sidemen, but as an exciting working band which possesses depth, breadth, and imagination.   by Thom Jurek 

Tracklist
1 Trancefusion 7:16
John McLaughlin
2 Riff Raff 7:03
John McLaughlin
3 Echos From Then 6:08
John McLaughlin
4 Wonderfall 6:28
John McLaughlin
5 Call And Answer 5:53
John McLaughlin
6 Not Here Not There 6:17
John McLaughlin
7 Guitar Love 7:09
John McLaughlin
8 Take It Or Leave It 3:46
John McLaughlin
Credits
Composed By – John McLaughlin
Drums – Ranjit Barot
Electric Bass, Electric Bass [Fretless Bass] – Etienne M'Bappe
Guitar, Synth [Guitar-Synth] – John McLaughlin
Piano, Synthesizer, Drums – Gary Husband

 JOHN McLAUGHLIN & THE 4TH DIMENSION - Now Here This 

[2012] Abstract Logix / FLAC / scans

O Púbis da Rosa

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH – Atavachron (1986-1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

For a little background, back in the '80s the SynthAxe was invented. It looked like something that fell out of a UFO. It was guitar-like with sets of strings and other onboard controls that allowed the triggering (playing) of synthesizers. What was unique was that guitarists could therefore play a synthesizer without needing a great amount of keyboard expertise. The SynthAxe was the interface that very uniquely interpreted a guitarist's skill into synth sounds. For guitarist Allan Holdsworth, it was yet a whole new way to achieve the sounds unvoiced in his soul in ways he just couldn't do with a standard guitar. Holdsworth has always sought a horn-like voicing with the ability to manipulate a note in a myriad of ways. He is known for being one of the most unique stylists on guitar, but it is the SynthAxe that allows him to go places a guitar can't reach. This release was special in that it marks Holdsworth's first use of the SynthAxe alongside electric guitar. The SynthAxe sounds more like a keyboard than a guitar. It has a wider sound spectrum than keyboards and in this release you will hear a myriad of synthscapes and effects. This release offered a semi-progressive symphonic element and served to ever stretch the boundaries of jazz fusion. Beautiful female vocals in one song framed by surrealistic visual musicks of the SynthAxe and keyboardy leads by Holdsworth may have turned guitar fans off, but this effort is clear evidence of the genius Holdsworth was demonstrating release after release. And as expected, Holdsworth continued to strive for that reed voicing and phrasing on his guitar solos, which merely pushed him to his best. John W. Patterson

Tracklist :

1. Non Brewed Condiment 3:39

2. Funnels 6:10

3. The Dominant Plague 5:41

4. Atavachron 4:45

5. Looking Glass 4:31

6. Mr. Berwell 6:21

7. All Our Yesterdays Sea 5:25 

Musicians :

Allan Holdsworth - Guitar, Ssynthaxe

Jimmy Johnson - Bass

Gary Husband - Drums

Special Guests :

Alan Pasqua - Keyboards

Tony Williams, Chad Wackerman - Drums

Billy Childs - Keyboards, Soloist

Rowanne Mark - Vocals

 

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH – Metal Fatigue (1985) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Criminally unknown and underappreciated, Allan Holdsworth is one of the greatest musicians ever to pick up the electric guitar. Here, on 1985's Metal Fatigue, everything finally comes together for him. For the majority of this record, Holdsworth is joined by bassist Jimmy Johnson and drummer Chad Wackerman, and these two musicians, virtuosos in their own right, complement Holdsworth beautifully (check out Johnson's wonderful part in "Home" and lovely solo on "Panic Station"). The leader is known for his extremely legato phrasing and rich harmonic vocabulary, both of which are on display in the solo and frantic fills of "Metal Fatigue." Anchored by Paul Williams' vocals, the song is marvelously constructed, with a strong verse melody supported by Holdsworth's upper-register guitar chords. The guitarist's much-vaunted whammy bar work is also on full display here. Certain fills in "Metal Fatigue" are almost queasy sounding, as Holdsworth bends and slurs in impossible ways. His use of the tremolo bar comes out not only during his melodic playing, but also during his rhythm playing, where he allows his chords just a trace of shimmer, enough to lend body to his playing but not enough to blur the harmonies. The influence of Holdsworth's unique style is evident in the work of such rock guitarists as Eddie Van Halen and Alex Lifeson (listen to VH's "Drop Dead Legs" or Rush's "YYZ" for a taste of this connection), but the watered-down and otherwise assimilated adaptations of his style pale compared to the unadulterated stuff. One of the most important fusion records of the '80s is also Holdsworth's best work. Absolutely essential for those who like their rock with a healthy dose of jazz. Daniel Gioffre
Tracklist :
1    Metal Fatigue 4:54
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Chad Wackerman
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Williams
Written-By – Holdsworth, Williams
2    Home 5:29
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Chad Wackerman
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Williams
Written-By – Holdsworth
3    Devil Take The Hindmost 5:33
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Chad Wackerman
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Williams
Written-By – Holdsworth
4    Panic Station 3:31
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Chad Wackerman
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Williams
Written-By – Holdsworth, Williams
5    The Un-Merry-Go-Round 14:06
Bass Guitar – Gary Willis
Drums – Gary Husband
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Keyboards – Alan Pasqua
Written-By – Holdsworth
6    In The Mystery 3:49
Bass Guitar – Jimmy Johnson
Drums – Mac Hine
Guitar – Allan Holdsworth
Vocals – Paul Korda
Written-By – Holdsworth, Korda

 

ALLAN HOLDSWORTH – i.o.u. (1982-2009) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

After the train-wreck disaster of Holdsworth's first solo release, the infamous Velvet Darkness, it wasn't until three years later that he reconsidered doing a real solo release versus the earlier ripoff of an authorized studio mishmash product he suffered. So in 1979 he recorded I.O.U. on a wing and a prayer and loans (ergo, an IOU recording project). With his very successful stints with other groups in the intervening time period, such as UK and Bruford, Holdsworth's guitar prowess and name were clearly on the map. Holdsworth now needed to be the leader he clearly was and thus release an official solo record. The real Allan Holdsworth unleashed is at last revealed on I.O.U. in his original compositions and well-crafted soloing, versus being merely part of a group and forced to stay within certain boundaries of other bandmates' design. I.O.U., as a solo release, is high-quality jazz fusion interplay, offering emotive compositions, ethereal guitar atmospherics, complex chordal progressions, and intense legato explosions of guitar that set the standard for many guitarists to come. There is no acoustic guitar this time, but a wee bit of Holdsworth on violin appears in one song. John W. Patterson  
Tracklist :
1. The things you see (when you haven't got your gun) (5:50)
Allan Holdsworth
2. Where is one (5:32)
Allan Holdsworth
3. Checking out (3:34)
Allan Holdsworth
4. Letters of Marquee (6:57)
Allan Holdsworth
5. Out from under (3:32)
Allan Holdsworth
6. Temporary fault (3:15)
Allan Holdsworth
7. Shallow sea (5:51)
Allan Holdsworth
8. White line (4:50)
Allan Holdsworth
Total Time: 39:21
Line-up / Musicians
Paul Carmichael / Bass
Allan Holdsworth / Guitar, Violin
Gary Husband / Drums, Piano
Paul Williams / Vocals