John McLaughlin: From Miles and Mahavishnu to The 4th Dimension

In the esteemed hierarchy of British jazz and rock musicians, the electrifying guitarist, composer, and bandleader John McLaughlin arguably holds an unassailable position right at the very top. Across dozens of official studio and live albums encompassing solo acts, The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti, and co-headlining group projects, GRAMMY Award-winner John McLaughlin has consistently enthralled and surprised audiences with his boundary-pushing, genre-defying music. He completely revolutionised guitar playing with his virtuosic style, carving out one of the most critically acclaimed and prolific careers in modern times. Indeed, he was Miles Davis's guitarist of choice on epochal albums such as In A Silent Way, Jack Johnson, Bitches Brew, and Live-Evil.

Drawing on hundreds of sources and interviews with key collaborators, Matt Phillips takes readers on an exciting journey through McLaughlin's entire career: from his early years on the London pop scene and his flirtations with the European avant-garde, to his groundbreaking work with Miles Davis and Tony Williams. The book covers his electrifying fusion groups The Mahavishnu Orchestra and Shakti; his special projects with luminaries like Chick Corea, Sting, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Carlos Santana, and Jeff Beck; his hugely popular acoustic collaborations with Paco De Lucia, Larry Coryell, and Al Di Meola; and his work with his 4th Dimension band.

This is the first major book about McLaughlin to illuminate his entire output from 1980-2020. Including never-before-seen photographs, it promises a thrilling ride through the life of a master musician.