Adventures in Radioland

Adventures in Radioland

ASIN: B0000046QF

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Though it always served as a forum for his blazing electric guitar, the Mahavishnu Orchestra also represented John McLaughlin's interest in electronic technology and high-intensity group interaction as well. Those features are all present on this 1986 session, with Bill Evans (another alumnus of Miles Davis's OAelectric bands) on soprano and tenor saxophones, Mitchel Forman on keyboards, Swedish musician Jonas Hellborg on bass, and Danny Gottlieb on drums. This version of the group had been together for a couple of years when it recorded Adventures in Radioland, and it achieves a remarkable mating of instrumental virtuosity and sheer hardware. Guitar synth, drum sequencing, and sampling update the Mahavishnu sound of the 1970s, and the fusion genre as well, while the flying runs of a very gifted band continue the tradition. Electronic highlights include McLaughin's "Jozy," a funky tribute to Joe Zawinul, and "Florianapolis" shows the guitarist's lyrical, acoustic side. --Adam Rains

Adventures in Radioland,John McLaughlin & Mahavishnu Orchestra,Polygram Records,Fusion,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop

Average customer rating:

Some of These Reviewers Crack Me Up

Thankfully Only A Short-Lived Phase for Johnny Mac

Better than 5 stars!

I'd Give This 4 1/2 Stars If Possible

Florianapolis saved the album

Adventures in Radioland
John McLaughlin & Mahavishnu Orchestra
Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music
Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music
Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000046QF
Release Date: 1993-11-16

Tracks:

The Wait
Just Ideas
Jozy
Half Man-Half Cookie
Florianapolis
Gotta Dance
The Wall Will Fall
Reincarnation
Mitch Match
20th Century Ltd

Amazon.com

Though it always served as a forum for his blazing electric guitar, the Mahavishnu Orchestra also represented John McLaughlin's interest in electronic technology and high-intensity group interaction as well. Those features are all present on this 1986 session, with Bill Evans (another alumnus of Miles Davis's OAelectric bands) on soprano and tenor saxophones, Mitchel Forman on keyboards, Swedish musician Jonas Hellborg on bass, and Danny Gottlieb on drums. This version of the group had been together for a couple of years when it recorded Adventures in Radioland, and it achieves a remarkable mating of instrumental virtuosity and sheer hardware. Guitar synth, drum sequencing, and sampling update the Mahavishnu sound of the 1970s, and the fusion genre as well, while the flying runs of a very gifted band continue the tradition. Electronic highlights include McLaughin's "Jozy," a funky tribute to Joe Zawinul, and "Florianapolis" shows the guitarist's lyrical, acoustic side. --Adam Rains

Customer Reviews:

Some of These Reviewers Crack Me Up.......2006-06-11

Some of the reviews I've read about this record typify why Jazz acceptance struggles in its national birthplace. I can't think of a single musical artist who doesn't experiment with their sound and direction. I read complaints about the "cheesy" drum sound as if those players who are placed so high on a pedestal don't have the right to see if a particular musical voice might have some validation in a direction they're pursuing. Respect the artist's courage to try something different rather than resting on their laurels. It's similar to a band that is gun-shy to play new material because the audience only wants to hear what they're comfortable with. Perhaps some of these people who denegrate this album would prefer to see Kenny G. dominating the musical landscape. Wise up folks. Celebrate the existence of Jazz instead of constantly nitpicking or we'll wind up with Rap or "American Idol" and its offshoots determining the course of music in America.

Thankfully Only A Short-Lived Phase for Johnny Mac.......2005-01-05

Oh man. this ain't easy to write, given that I have been a Johnny Mac fan for years, but "Adventures In Radioland" is NOT a good place to start for the curious beginner, and best left where you found it for long-time listeners.

Same problems as the previous 80's Mahavishnu outing, mostly weak tunes, lots of high-tech gimmickry, painfully cheesy 80's sound quality (and those ABOMINABLE Simmons drums which sound like amplified pizza boxes) and precious little of the brilliance that Johnny Mac is typically known for.

"20th Century Limited" though is a notable exception and very welcome. "Florianaplois" suffers from a really cheesy sing-songy arrangement (not unlike something that would be played on a "Smooth Jazz" station) but oddly enough, it underwent a miraculous transformation with John's trio just a couple years later and came out a fire-breathing piece of great music! "Reincarnation" here with full snooze-inducing effect, was transformed by JM's trio into a breathtakingly beautiful meditative piece. "Just Ideas/Jozy" here suffers from high-tech clutter, later gets reworked by the Trio and regains it's plaintive funkiness. If only these original version were ANYWHERE near as good as the subsequent reworkings. The rest of the tunes are obviously calculated for radio-play at any cost, but just merely fall flat on their faces wallowing in gimmickrey and digital-synth overkill. The one thing different (though not enough to salvage the mess) is that JM wisely shelved that infernal Synclavier/Roland Digital Guitar Synth elephantine noisemaking miserable mechanism (read in Dr. Smith voice). Here he straps on a Les Paul Special for the most part, but unfortunately, his tone is so painfully tinny, metallic and lacking in warmth.

I will say this in its favor though, at least some of the tunes had good raw material that could be reworked into something substantial, otherwise, don't bother.

Better than 5 stars!.......2002-03-19

Anyone that thinks this album is less than 5 stars should be put in a sanitarium, and quit writing reviews. The music and musicians on this album are incredible. If you don't like good music, stay away!

I'd Give This 4 1/2 Stars If Possible.......2001-03-20

This CD is so diverse in its styles, sounds, dynamics, and themes that I find it very satisfying as a whole. My biggest complaint is the cheesy drum sounds so prevalent when electronic drums first burst onto the scene. I expected more from a John McLaughlin CD. Everyone else, however, is great, with bassist extraordinaire Jonas Hellborg leading the way (his brief, but incredible solo in Gotta Dance is a perfect example). And John's playing is as powerful as ever. From his thoughtful to blistering solo in The Wait (one of my all time favorite songs) to his just-plain-blistering playing in The Wall Will Fall, John does not disappoint. There are a couple of weak tracks on this CD, but the great ones (The Wait, The Wall Will Fall, Reincarnation, & 20th Century Ltd) elevate the overall quality of this CD to 4 1/2 stars!

Florianapolis saved the album.......2000-04-22

I am a great fan of Mr. JM. When this album came out, it was clear that it had nothing to do with Mahavishnu, maybe because of extensive use of drum programming and Campbell's drums. However, the great piece Florianapolis, which John later released live (On Royal Albert Hall album) with excellent acoustic guitar and nice sax playing by Bill Evans improves the album great deal. With a few other nice acoustic and slow pieces, and with a powerful electric playing on The Wait, John managed to save his face. I gave it four stars, as it is very embarassing to give less to the great master.

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