MAHAVISHNU ORCHESTRA

Birds Of Fire

SEALED limited edition 180 gram Vinyl LP. Columbia/Speakers Corner ACOL 31996. Stereo, limited edition remastered reissue. COVER & VINYL: MINT still sealed, never played.

180-gram vinyl

This Speakers Corner LP was remastered using pure analogue components only, from the master tapes through to the cutting head. All royalties and mechanical rights have been paid.

Of the three "incarnations" by the spiritually inspired Mahavishnu Orchestra, the first is the most full-bodied. The enlightened John McLaughlin and his musicians were immortalized through their début album "The Inner Mounting Flame," which was included in the list of the 100 Best Jazz Albums; a short time later they recorded their highly concentrated studio compilation "Birds Of Fire."

Long before today's marketed and labelled World Music, the quintet set the standards for a meaningful amalgamation of dynamic rock with complex Indian rhythms and occidental conventions. Already in the title piece, the musicians combine a sharpened Hendrix style with expansive melodies, and with smacking grooves and fine riffs draw all that is grand in jazz ("Miles Beyond") into the musical centre. With almost chamber-music-like density, "Thousand Island Park" blossoms out in soft colors, while as a contrast unremittingly flowing cascades in "Hope" search desperately for their destination.

It is thrilling how finely weighed patterns ("One Word") escalate to techno-like violin playing and how the listener is invited to take part in an inner procession in the following "Sanctuary." After such soaring heights, we are brought back to earth with a familiar funky sound in a popular, pastoral vein ("Open Country Joy") before taking off abruptly once again: in the final piece, "Resolution" with its slowly rising carpets of sound, all that is sublime in New Music conquers over world cultures.

Recording: August 1972 at Trident Studios, London, by Ken Scott and CBS-Studios, New York, by Jim Green
Production: The Mahavishnu Orchestra

JOHN McLAUGHLIN / JAN HAMMER / BILLY COBHAM / RICK LAIRD / JERRY GOODMAN

A1
Birds Of Fire5:44A2
Miles Beyond                              4:41

A3
Celestial Terrestrial Commuters2:55A4
Sapphire Bullets Of Pure Love0:21A5
Thousand Island Park3:21A6
Hope1:57B1
One Word9:56B2
Sanctuary5:06B3
Open Country Joy3:54B4
Resolution2:09

***FACTORY SEALED***NEVER PLAYED***

 

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MINT (M) ---- It should be SEALED and appear to be brand new. Mint means STILL SEALED, NEVER PLAYED. NEAR MINT (NM or NM-) ---- OPENED or UNSEALED. Otherwise mint but has one or two tiny inconsequential flaws that do not affect play. Covers should be close to perfect with minor signs of wear or age just becoming evident.
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