The Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz-rock fusion group from New York, United… Read Full Bio ↴The Mahavishnu Orchestra was a jazz-rock fusion group from New York, United States, that debuted in 1970 and dissolved in 1976, reuniting briefly from 1984 to 1987.
In its first version, the band was led by "Mahavishnu" John McLaughlin on acoustic and electric guitars, with Billy Cobham on drums, Rick Laird on electric and acoustic bass, Jan Hammer on electric and acoustic piano, and Jerry Goodman on violin. The group is best known for their two most popular albums: The Inner Mounting Flame (1971) and Birds of Fire (1973).
From 1974 to 1976, personnel included Jean-Luc Ponty on violin, Narada Michael Walden on drums and vocals, Gayle Moran on vocals and keyboards, and Ralph Armstrong on bass, among others. This second incarnation of the group explored orchestral arrangements, as well as more mainstream funk and R&B grooves added to the mix.
This group was considered an important pioneer in the jazz fusion movement that was founded by Miles Davis. McLaughlin and Cobham met while performing and recording with Davis. McLaughlin was also influenced in his conception of the band by his studies with Indian guru Sri Chinmoy, who encouraged him to take the name "Mahavishnu".
McLaughlin had particular ideas for the instrumentation of the group, in keeping with his highly original concept of genre-blending in composition. He particularly wanted a violinist. As the group evolved, McLaughlin adopted what became his trademark double-neck guitar (six-string and twelve-string), and Hammer added a Moog synthesiser, which enabled him to bend notes, mimicking the phrasing of McLaughlin's guitar.
Their musical style was an unprecedented blending of genres: they combined the high-volume electrified rock sound that had been pioneered by Jimi Hendrix, complex rhythms in unusual time signatures that reflected McLaughlin's interest in Indian classical music as well as funk, an improvisational concept that was rooted in jazz as well as Indian music, and some harmonic influence from European classical music. The group's early music was entirely instrumental; their later albums had songs which sometimes featured R&B or even gospel/hymn styled vocals. In the aforementioned two albums, though, the group goes from this intense fusion of upbeat genres (the best example of which is "Noonward Race") to very serene tunes such as "A Lotus on Irish Streams" and "Thousand Island Park", which are pieces for acoustic guitar, piano, and violin; or from low-key to extremely busy in a single piece, such as "Open Country Joy".
In its first version, the band was led by "Mahavishnu" John McLaughlin on acoustic and electric guitars, with Billy Cobham on drums, Rick Laird on electric and acoustic bass, Jan Hammer on electric and acoustic piano, and Jerry Goodman on violin. The group is best known for their two most popular albums: The Inner Mounting Flame (1971) and Birds of Fire (1973).
From 1974 to 1976, personnel included Jean-Luc Ponty on violin, Narada Michael Walden on drums and vocals, Gayle Moran on vocals and keyboards, and Ralph Armstrong on bass, among others. This second incarnation of the group explored orchestral arrangements, as well as more mainstream funk and R&B grooves added to the mix.
This group was considered an important pioneer in the jazz fusion movement that was founded by Miles Davis. McLaughlin and Cobham met while performing and recording with Davis. McLaughlin was also influenced in his conception of the band by his studies with Indian guru Sri Chinmoy, who encouraged him to take the name "Mahavishnu".
McLaughlin had particular ideas for the instrumentation of the group, in keeping with his highly original concept of genre-blending in composition. He particularly wanted a violinist. As the group evolved, McLaughlin adopted what became his trademark double-neck guitar (six-string and twelve-string), and Hammer added a Moog synthesiser, which enabled him to bend notes, mimicking the phrasing of McLaughlin's guitar.
Their musical style was an unprecedented blending of genres: they combined the high-volume electrified rock sound that had been pioneered by Jimi Hendrix, complex rhythms in unusual time signatures that reflected McLaughlin's interest in Indian classical music as well as funk, an improvisational concept that was rooted in jazz as well as Indian music, and some harmonic influence from European classical music. The group's early music was entirely instrumental; their later albums had songs which sometimes featured R&B or even gospel/hymn styled vocals. In the aforementioned two albums, though, the group goes from this intense fusion of upbeat genres (the best example of which is "Noonward Race") to very serene tunes such as "A Lotus on Irish Streams" and "Thousand Island Park", which are pieces for acoustic guitar, piano, and violin; or from low-key to extremely busy in a single piece, such as "Open Country Joy".
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GaribaldiInTheMaking
If I ever became a pro wrestler, this would be my entrance music.
Graham Buckenham
I'll hold your goddam towel when you stomp in . I'm 5 7 . Skinny . Wtf
Moeb Eno
I have bought five of their albums in one day,no regrets.
Leo Yaus
Moeb Eno do you own My Goals Beyond?
Gene Pozniak
This song inspired the climax of a science fiction story I wrote in college in 1981: A man-sized alien reveals its true form as a giant bird of fire which then shoots up, laser-like into the sky. In 2001, the anime series, FLCL (Fooly Cooly) ended in almost the exact same way. Total Zen coincidence, as I'd never made the story public. :-o
Bob Young
@DX7036 Many don't believe but I do...in the Ruach haQodesh... Christians call him the Holy Spirit! The same Ruach that raised YAHUSHA HAMOSCHIACH (Christians call HIM Jesus Christ) from the dead and caused HIS TALMIDYM (Disciples) to speak in languages unknown to them, is the Ruach haQodesh that lives within me and directs me (when asked since HE is very much the gentleman). There is no such thing as a coincidence. Numerous acts! Also as a side note, the stone on which the Covenant Laws (Ten Commandments) were written was sapphire! Sapphire Bullets? Hahaha!! Coincidence indeed! We have many anecdotes in which the Ruach haQodesh had been involved! Funny, yes?
DX7036
Interesting...sometimes I wonder how many people actually share our same imaginative process when listening music. I watched that scene you said right now and the music fits perfectly (you should ask for copyright though ahah). A bird of fire shooting a sapphire bullet of pure love ...cool.
David e
individually and collectively just absolutely awesome........my favourite MO track, drummer Billy Cobham on fire-such power, such grace,............Billy when I hear you play, you always make me smile , thank you
Joan casanovas coma
Para mí quizás el mejor tema instrumental de todos los tiempos. Este tema me tiene cautivado. Impresionante.
Dave Festa
This peice is so great