Just two weeks after former Mahavishnu Orchestra drummer Billy Cobham lit up the New Morning, another giant of jazz fusion arrives at the same venue. This time it is John McLaughlin, bringing his 4th Dimension band to one of Paris's most beloved jazz clubs.
The setting alone makes the evening special. McLaughlin's stature as a musician is such that opportunities to see him at such close range have become increasingly rare. At the New Morning, every nuance of his playing is visible, every interaction between the musicians unfolding just a few feet from the audience.
As tradition dictates, the band performs two sets, delivering more than two hours of music that effortlessly traverses the many chapters of McLaughlin's extraordinary career. Selections from the Mahavishnu Orchestra catalogue receive a particularly enthusiastic reception, their combination of technical brilliance and explosive energy remaining as compelling today as when they first redefined the possibilities of jazz-rock fusion. More recent compositions fit seamlessly alongside them, demonstrating the remarkable consistency of McLaughlin's musical vision.
The 4th Dimension proves an ideal vehicle for this material. Bassist Étienne Mbappé is especially impressive, combining virtuosity, groove and impeccable taste throughout the evening, while the rest of the ensemble matches the leader's intensity and precision at every turn. Their collective musicianship is so strong that even the most complex passages unfold with apparent ease.
As for McLaughlin himself, he remains a fascinating presence. Decades after helping reshape the language of modern guitar, his playing continues to balance dazzling technique with genuine musical purpose. The speed, precision and harmonic sophistication are still there, but what lingers most is the sense of curiosity and joy that animates every performance.
For more than two hours, the New Morning becomes the setting for a masterclass in jazz fusion delivered by one of its principal architects.
An exceptional evening in the company of an exceptional musician.
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