MUSIC REVIEW: Is That So? - John McLaughlin

This is an album that has been a long time in the making, and for those who already are aware of the guitar style and mastery of John McLaughlin, then this album will come as a complete surprise, since the guitar is perhaps the least prominent of the three elements making up this latest album,. Is That So?

In a complete departure stylistically John McLaughliun's moody synthesised guitar playing is little more than background instrumental music to the singing of Shankar Mahadevan. In fact, this is a vocal album and not instrumental at all. Mahadevan's vocal dexterity should be noted and applauded here. The third element in this trio of musicians is Zakir Hussain, a long-time collaborator of McLaughlin's and here he plays the tabla (Indian drums)

Listening to the tracks it is almost as if I have been transported back into the drug-taking freedom of the 1960's, the music has a very improvised and hallucinogenic feel to it, despite being deeply rooted in the traditional music of the Indian subcontinent. It is surprisingly relaxing and meditative, and yet also very tuneful and uplifting. And yes, I am aware that that might seem as almost an oxymoron, but after listening to the tracks on this album that is the overall feeling that I have taken from it... a double-edged sword.. but in a good way!

For those interested in something a little more technical then the underpinning harmonics of the music is mostly Western, (major and minor scales), although the traditional 'Raga' scales (the notes in between the notes if you like - although India has many different 'raga' styles, scales, arpeggios etc... the word 'raga' simply means "colour") do appear, especially in Mahadevan's extemporising. 

Perhaps the album might at worst be ascribed the title "mood music" to those who fail to hear the delicate balance of the trio at work, or who cannot immerse themselves in the deep emotional resonance of the compositions; but at best this is an album of music which is both new and timeless, and comes from the heart. It's not McLaughlin as you know him, but that doesn't matter... listen to the music for what it is, and transcend into a world where East meets West and time stands still. Beautiful!

Reviewer - Chris Benchley
on - 24/3/20