What makes Music Spoken Here by John McLaughlin notable?

The album is notable for its ambitious blend of diverse musical styles, reflecting McLaughlin's ongoing evolution as an artist. It received positive critical reception and is often cited for influencing the ethno-jazz movement, showcasing how jazz can incorporate elements from various cultures. By the time 'Music Spoken Here' was released in 1982, John McLaughlin was already an established figure in jazz fusion, having gained prominence with the Mahavishnu Orchestra and his earlier works. This album followed his exploration of world music influences, marking a period where he sought to intertwine different cultural sounds into his compositions.

Who is Music Spoken Here for?

Music Spoken Here works well if you're into dynamic journey with peaks, intricate guitar explorations and vibrant rhythmic shifts.

How many songs are on Music Spoken Here?

Music Spoken Here has 9 tracks, running approximately 38 minutes.

Music Spoken Here

John McLaughlin · 1982

38 min · 9 tracks · jazz

A vibrant tapestry of ethno-jazz rhythms and intricate guitar work that celebrates global musical traditions.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Blues for L.W. — This track stands out due to its heartfelt expression and bluesy inflections, showcasing McLaughlin's ability to merge emotional depth with technical prowess.
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David — A longer composition that features complex structures and improvisational sections, highlighting McLaughlin's intricate guitar work and his band's synergy.
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Loro — This piece encapsulates a serene yet rich melodic landscape, illustrating McLaughlin's knack for creating atmospheric soundscapes infused with cultural resonance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album blends intricate guitar work with global rhythms, showcasing McLaughlin's distinctive style and influence in ethno-jazz.

What we noticed

Each track showcases intricate guitar solos that often intertwine with various global musical influences, particularly from Indian and Latin traditions.
The use of diverse instrumentation, including percussion from different cultures, adds layers to the sound without overshadowing the guitar work.

Composition 25% of the score: 8/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 8/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic journey with peaks
intricate guitar explorations
vibrant rhythmic shifts
immersive listening experience
thoughtful in-order engagement

Maybe skip if you

seeking instant gratification
prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Experimental — Represents a departure into diverse musical styles, reflecting McLaughlin's evolution.
Career context: By the time 'Music Spoken Here' was released in 1982, John McLaughlin was already an established figure in jazz fusion, having gained prominence with the Mahavishnu Orchestra and his earlier works. This album followed his exploration of world music influences, marking a period where he sought to intertwine different cultural sounds into his compositions.
Stylistic neighbors: Mahavishnu Orchestra· Al Di Meola· Chick Corea