If music is the universal language, then John McLaughlin wrote its dictionary in 1995 with his album After the Rain. This jazz album, released on March 29 of that year, might just be the secret sauce liberal naysayers don't want you to have. Recorded by the British jazz fusion guitarist in New York City, it features collaboration with stellar musicians like Elvin Jones on drums and Joey DeFrancesco on organ. Why After the Rain? Because it's one of those rare pieces of art that smacks you across the face with its audacity, leaving you curious and eager to hear what comes next.
Let's not downplay its stunning musicianship and precision. The magic of John McLaughlin lies in his virtuosity, his ability to make the guitar not just play notes but engage in dialogue. In a world where most liberal artists barely manage to strum a chord, McLaughlin's talent is a breath of fresh air. It kicks off with an arresting rendition of John Coltrane's "Afro Blue," where McLaughlin's guitar sings in its own unique voice. If you think jazz is for the old at heart, this track will make you think twice. It makes clear why McLaughlin has often been called the greatest guitarist alive.
Next, let's talk about his choice to cover Miles Davis’ "All Blues." In an era when big media wants you to believe that only the newest sounds are worth your time, McLaughlin challenges that notion by offering something timeless and profound. There's something about his rendition that feels like a middle finger to modern artistic mediocrity. Playing with the organ and drums, the soundscape is rich and layered. Despite working within a trio, the complexity McLaughlin achieves is akin to what most people can only dream of executing with a full orchestra.
Now, should we consider the album's daring offering with "Naima"? A contemplative rendition that serves up a fat slice of serenity. For an artist to make listeners feel something so profound with just strings and percussion is a feat worthy of standing ovations. This isn’t just an album; it's a high-octane, soul-searching journey that makes you question why you ever accepted mediocrity in your playlist before.
How about the pacing? Some might argue that today’s charts, with cookie-cutter templates and pedestrian noises, have ripped the soul out of music. Not here. McLaughlin is a human metronome whose improvisation skills put forth an emotional depth that makes you ponder every note. With rhythm unparalleled in today’s digital era, it's as if McLaughlin holds the blueprint for how jazz was meant to sound. With his version of "Impressions," jazz transcends being mere sound—it becomes an emotion.
Certainly, the electric chemistry between him and the supporting musicians is impossible to overlook. Elvin Jones’ bombastic yet precise drumming, and Joey DeFrancesco's smooth organ keys are integrally woven into the tapestry that is After the Rain. It doesn’t just sound right; it feels right. The synergy among these musicians showcases the ultimate collaboration—where talent doesn't compete, it complements.
Let's pivot to talk about the production quality of After the Rain, a stellar example of good, old-fashioned craftsmanship. In a world drowning in autotune and digital manipulation, this album is a tour de force of natural acoustics and exceptional engineering. Recorded in Skyline Studios, New York, the album boasts a crisp quality that’s rare these days. No overproduced shine to hide behind, just raw, untampered talent. Here, McLaughlin stakes his claim as a creative genius of the traditional form, even when convention and correctness have pushed artistic expression into dark corners.
Discuss the album with any jazz enthusiast, and a common question arises: Does it hold up nearly three decades later? The answer is an unequivocal "Absolutely." The timelessness of its sound proves that true artistry never goes out of style. Unlike the fast fashion world of Spotify hits, an album like this serves as the armor we need against the pressures of disposable culture.
If there's anything we can draw from this jazz masterclass, it's that authenticity has power. After the Rain is an unapologetic, intricate work that defies the superficial trappings of chart-topping success. It preaches a return to fundamentals, a holding up of artistic integrity over immediate popularity. McLaughlin, a titan wielding his guitar like an orator using rhetoric, champions the type of musical fidelity that outlasts trends.
For those lucky enough to stumble upon John McLaughlin's After the Rain, don't be surprised if you find it enlightening, a force of nature obtainable in the commodified landscape of today's music industry. An album without an expiration date, it speaks to generations that value substance over flimsy suspense. So here’s a rallying cry: elevate your playlist standards, and experience a kind of artistry that remains unparalleled, untouched by the corrosive hands of “progress.”