Belo Horizonte

I have a copy of everything put out by John McLaughlin, and I've always found Belo Horizonte to be amongst the very best discs he's ever released. It's full of terrific nylon stringed guitar brilliance with the fabulous complement of Katia LaBeque's piano and synth soloing. I recall a rumor that John had written out her solos for her since she was a classical player-not sure that was true. What I really love about Belo Horizonte are the compositions. I've always related to John as a writer as much as a player, and there are some lovely pieces here like Zamfir (on which John's taste and restraint are huge rebuttals against those who see and hear him as just a chops obsessed shredder), Waltz for Katia, One Melody, and Stardust on Your Sleeve. There's also a great duo with Paco de Lucia, and a short version of Bill Evan's Very Early that prefigures the tribute album John would do about a decade later with a guitar quartet. This was released over 30 years ago and doesn't sound the least bit dated.This is the 3rd cd issue of this that I've bought, and it is sonically the one to beat all. The recent Japanese re-mastering job is perfection itself. There's a warm and clear quality throughout. Since much of this was a nuanced project with acoustic instruments, this is finally the cd version that I've always wanted to hear. If you love McLaughlin, you must add this disc, and this version, to your collection.

John McLaughlin's lyricism is in full flower in this album. It's a sheer delight to listen to, and yet another unexpected turn from the master who has made so few mistakes in his career. (I'm still reserving judgement on the music he has made since 2010...sometimes I wonder if he should retire, he has nothing left to prove.)As noted this was another unusual musical turn for McLaughlin. As a listener who loved the Mahavishnu Orchestra and then happily embraced his successful, acoustic experiments with Shakti, I saw a little decline in the 80's where John seemed to be trying again for the glory days with the electric guitar. His jazz-rock didn't really gel until he formed the One Truth band in the late 90's.Belo Horizonte then seemed at first like another wild swing in a different direction. It's unabashed romanticism and texture take some getting used to, if McLaughlin's electric music is your favorite. In particular note how he plucks virtually every note even in his fastest runs, and also the tight ensemble playing. It is a French band and so the accompanists have a different approach, shall we say more "old-world", however it all fits nicely. It's a more continental sound, not at all Americanized, something like a mix of lounge and chamber music! If you can grasp that you will love it.

I'm a drummer and a fan of Tommy Campbell, the drummer on this recording, who is vastly under-rated. He came out of Berklee in Boston, recorded with McLaughlin and Kevin Eubanks (as I am sure many others), yet he is not nearly on the radar as he should be. What an exciting recording! Tommy Campbell is amazing and musical! I haven't heard this album in 20 years or more and I am buying it now as MP3, I hope it's as great as I remember! So psyched to find it again! Thanks Amazon.

One of the greatest John McLaughlin records every. I was very surprised the first time I heard it. All acoustic guitar. But played masterfully and speedy dexterity. Everyone should listen to this once a month,

This CD sounds like it is not recorded from the master tapes, it sounds like it was recorded from the LP. There is what sounds like LP disk noise and tracking error from a poor condition LP disc. I had the LP for many years and it sounded much better than this release. I had wanted to buy the CD version, but it was not available for a long time. When I saw this item I purchased it after checking the Wounded Bird Records site which states "All of our releases are properly licensed from the owner of the original masters, in most cases the original record label and sometimes the artists themselves." I guess this recording was from the original owner of the LP! When I imported it into iTunes it listed the disk as "LP version".I have heard back from Wounded Bird Records and they say that all their CDs are recorded from the master tape. This master must have tape rot!

I find this is perhaps Mclaughlin's best I have heard. That's difficult to assess, his style changes so much from one place to another (I like Extrapolation a lot too, but it's just so different from this). Anyhow, the songs here are perfect, beautiful, so very fresh and, for me, strangely refreshing each time I hear them, again and again. It's kind of unique.

Along with the other reviewers (who so aptly sing "Belo Horizonte's" praises), I love this recording. It moves me with it's textural layers of sound and feeling. Much more understated as opposed to say another fine John McGlaughlin record, "Eletric Dreams," which seems much more pointed and singular (and intense) in its stylings. Mr. Mcglaughlin's guitar is more muted (sounds like a classical guitar throughout--there are no screeching solos) and blends with the other muscians to create a truly exotic work somehow reminscent of the Mediterranean. A Sunday monring favorite.

YES, If you're into John McLaughlin, this is a must own.But, Beware!, the batch that Amazon is drawing fromare DEFECTIVE !!!!!.The beautiful music is horribly interupted by soundsI cannot describe.This album is from 1981, so look for it on vinyl.

This album seems to be one of McLaughlins forgotten works in the years during and following the Guitar-trio.I can't think why this is the case; maybe it's less spectacular than his Mahavishnu-fireworks or his work with De Lucia or DiMeola, but his playing on Belo Horizonte is beautiful and very subtle.The compositions are wonderful, especially the ballads are of the highest standard; Stardust on your Sleeve and Zamfir are highlights. Manitas D'óro is a fantastic duet with De Lucia. If you're looking for a subtle acoustic Jazz-rock album; this is it!

I have never heard in my entire life a piece of music as light, as shimmering as this; it touches the surface of your senses, but its NOT new age music; the melodies are exquisite like finely crafted miniature jewels; the stereo-field so wide as to put you in huge fields of grass beating like waves. Close your eyes and drift away.

If you like guitar in any form I think you will like this cd.You cannot but be impressed with the sheer virtuosity of JM and all musicians on this cd.Aside from the skill of the players the music itself is fantastic and covers a wide "emotional "range .This is one of the best .

This is in my opinion one of the best albums John McLaughlin has produced. It highlights his superb guitar skills, is well arranged and the performances from the many supporting musicians are exemplary.

Good era for McLaughlin, always been blown away by his playing and rhythmic sense. I like the romanticism in this, sometimes missing from his later works.