John Mclaughlin - The Promise (1995)

Song Title
01. Django
02. Thelonious Melodius
03. Amy And Joseph
04. No Return
05. El Ciego
06. Jazz Jungle
07. Wish, The
08. English Jam
09. Tokyo Decadence
10. Shin Jin Rui
11. The Peacocks


Personnel: John McLaughlin (acoustic & electric guitars, midi guitar, keyboards, birds song, percussion); Nishat Khan (vocals, sitar); Mariku Takahasi (vocals); Susana Bйatrix (spoken vocals, birds song, percussion); Stephania Bimbi (spoken vocals); David Sanborn (alto saxophone); Michael Brecker (tenor saxophone); Joey DeFrancesco (trumpet, Hammond B-3 organ); Tony Hymas, Jim Beard (keyboards); Paco De Lucia, Al Di Meola, Philippe Loli (acoustic guitar); Jeff Beck (electric guitar); Yan Maresz (acoustic bass); Pino Palladino, James Genus, Sting (bass); Mark Mondйsir, Dennis Chambers, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums); Zakir Hussain (tabla); Toto (birds song, percussion); Don Alias, Trilok Gurtu (percussion). Producers: John McLaughlin, Eddie Kramer. Engineers include: Kenny Jones, Gustav Hobel, Maurice Ouazana. On THE PROMISE, John McLaughlin fuses together a variety of sessions that highlight his rich musical eclecticism. Tracks such as "Jazz Jungle" are all-out virtuoso jams that exalt the technical prowess of McLaughlin, drummer Dennis Chambers, and tenor saxophonist Michael Brecker. "Django" is a rock-inflected jazz waltz featuring Jeff Beck on guitar. "Thelonious Melodius" is much more firmly rooted in the post-bop tradition, while "Amy and Joseph" is a funky Pat Metheny-esque sentimental ballad, and "No Return" shows off organist Joey DeFrancesco's hitherto little-known skill on the trumpet. Sting even makes a brief but memorable appearance on a track entitled simply "English Jam." An extremely diverse album, THE PROMISE is a surprising listen all round. © cduniverse