On November 20 and 21, 2010, maverick record label Abstract Logix hosted a series of spectacular performances, featuring an array of artists who handily defy genre categorization in favor of unbridled expression. Among the featured musicians were pioneering guitarist John McLaughlin and his current band the 4th Dimension with special guest, world music legend tabla maestro Zakir Hussain; Widespread Panic guitar hero Jimmy Herring with his electric band; Return to Forever drummer Lenny White; the all-star quartet Human Element (keyboardist Scott Kinsey, bassist Matt Garrison, percussionist Arto Tunçboyaciyan; fearless guitarist and improviser Wayne Krantz appearing with the amazing Anthony Jackson on bass; visionary Indian composer and drummer Ranjit Barot; and emerging guitar visionary Alex Machacek.
A 2 CD Set of the festival featuring 131 minutes of music was released on July 19, 2011 to rave reviews.
A 2 DVD Compilation featuring the music on the CD, along with over 60 minutes of the grand finale Jam tribute to John McLaughlin featuring all the artists of the festival along with behind the scenes footage and extensive interviews will be released on September 20, 2011.
The final guitarist on the album is the Mahavishnu himself, John McLaughlin. His band, the 4th Dimension, is a tight and nimble unit that can change directions at will as if all the members are a single organism. It will take most listeners some time to work through both discs, but the chance to hear the evolution of jazz/rock guitar in a live setting is well worth the investment.
– Jason Shadrick, Premier Guitar
For those who like their jazz hard, loud, filled with killer chops and intricate writing, the 2010 “New Universe Music Festival” was like manna from heaven.
John McLaughlin (Guitar/ Programming / Additional Keys), Alex Machacek (Guitar), Jimmy Herring (Guitar) and Ranjit Barot (Drums)
Track list
Disc 1:
1. Strafe (Alex Machacek, Jeff Sipe, Neal Fountain) 2. Very Sad (Alex Machacek, Jeff Sipe, Neal Fountain) 3. Vignesh Kirtanam (Ranjit Barot, Bala Bhaskar, Scott Kinsey, Matthew Garrison, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Wayne Krantz) 4. Origin (Ranjit Barot, Bala Bhaskar, Scott Kinsey, Matthew Garrison, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Wayne Krantz) 5. Essaouira (Scott Kinsey, Matthew Garrison, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Ranjit Barot) 6. Sometimes I … (Scott Kinsey, Matthew Garrison, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Ranjit Barot) 7. Rainbow (Jimmy Herring, Neal Foutain, Matt Slocum, Jeff Sipe) 8. Gray Day (Jimmy Herring, Neal Foutain, Matt Slocum, Jeff Sipe) 9. Within You, Without You (Jimmy Herring, Neal Foutain, Matt Slocum, Jeff Sipe)
Disc 2:
1. Why (Wayne Krantz, Anthony Jackson, Cliff Almond) 2. Door #3 (Lenny White, Jimmy Herring, Tom Guarna, Richie Goods, Vince Evans) 3. Gazelle (Lenny White, Jimmy Herring, Tom Guarna, Richie Goods, Vince Evans) 4. Recovery (John McLaughlin, Etienne M’Bappe, Gary Husband, Mark Mondesir, Zakir Hussain) 5. Mother Tongues (John McLaughlin, Etienne M’Bappe, Gary Husband, Mark Mondesir, Zakir Hussain)
Recording information
“New Universe Music Festival” November 20th and 21st, 2010 Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Filmed in HD (High Definition). The bonus track on DVD2 presents over 60 minutes of the grand finale jam tribute to John McLaughlin, featuring all the artists of the festival along with behind the scenes footage. It also includes artist interviews and a Godin Guitar Feature.
All regions, audio 2.0 stereo, English language, running time: 193 minutes
Join Our Mailing List
Abstract Logix Live! The New Universe Music Festival 2010- 2 DVD Set Releasing
"For those who like their jazz hard, loud, filled with killer chops and intricate writing, the 2010 New Universe Music Festival was like manna from heaven. Amidst seven groups including two fusion deities, guitarist John McLaughlin and drummer Lenny White, it was an exhilarating experience for the few hundred people in attendance—some coming from hundreds of miles away, a few even crossing oceans to get to this first-time event curated by Souvik Dutta and his wife, Shweta."
“I feel honored to participate.My life has been dedicated to my instrument and music, and I continue to devote myself to music in order to be worthy of such a privilege. You will hear the kind of complicity that exists between us all – this is a very special element, and frankly essential for making good music.”- John McLaughlin