Album Reviews

This is plainly a labour of love for the Yorkshire-born guitar titan, who plays with passionate enthusiasm and commitment throughout an expert programme of originals.The underlying theme is McLaughlin's spiritual quest, and that sub-text gives the music an earnest quality. This is jazz-rock fusion of the highest order, delivered by a band that fits its leader like a glove. Gary Husband on keyboards, drummer Mark Mondesir and bassist Etienne M'Bappe are right on the money. McLaughlin, though, is the star. AV

Hot Club of Detroit: It's About That Time (Mack Avenue) 12.99

This is one of the most enterprising groups around, adapting the style and instrumentation of Django Reinhardt's groups of the 1930s to a contemporary repertoire with wit and verve.Under the leadership of guitarist Evan Perri, the band roars through an entertaining programme that touches a lot of bases, from lesser-known Reinhardt originals, to a Miles Davis number, to one that nods to Coltrane's Giant Steps. It's inventive stuff, well worth a listen. AV