AMG Review of This Is Jazz, Vol. 17

Thom Owens
All Music Guide

Though purists will find John McLaughlin's This Is Jazz, Vol. 17 frustratingly incomplete, it isn't designed for them. The entire This Is Jazz series is targeted at casual fans and neophytes who only want a sampling of a famous jazz artist. In that sense, this disc does its job quite well, featuring cuts by the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti and One Truth, as well as collaborations with Carlos Santana, Tony Williams and Katia Labèque. Of course, this only is the tip of the iceberg as far as McLaughlin's work goes -- after all, it only features his music for Columbia -- but it's enough to spark the interest of anyone wanting to explore his vast catalog.