Liberation Time

{{Infobox album | name = Liberation Time | type = studio | artist = John McLaughlin | cover = McLaughlin-John-Liberation-Time.jpg | alt = | released = 16 July 2021 | recorded = | studio = Monaco, Paris, London, Cairo, Los Angeles | genre = Jazz | length = {{duration|m=36|s=55}} | label = Abstract Logix ABL 65 | producer = John McLaughlin | chronology = John McLaughlin | prev_title = Black Light | prev_year = 2015 | next_title = | next_year = }} {{Music ratings |MC=80/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web |title=Liberation Time by John McLaughlin |url=https://www.metacritic.com/music/liberation-time/john-mclaughlin |website=Metacritic |access-date=7 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> |rev1 = ''All About Jazz'' |rev1score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="AAJ">{{cite web |last1=Thackara |first1=Geno |title=John McLaughlin: Liberation Time album review @ All About Jazz |url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/liberation-time-john-mclaughlin-abstract-logix |website=All About Jazz |access-date=7 September 2022 |language=en |date=17 July 2021}}</ref> |rev2 = AllMusic |rev2score= {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="AM">{{cite web |last1=Jurek |first1=Thom |title=John McLaughlin - Liberation Time Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/liberation-time-mw0003519937 |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=7 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> |rev3=''Classic Rock'' |rev3score={{rating|4|5}}<ref name="MC"/> |rev4 =''DownBeat'' |rev4score={{rating|3|5}}<ref name="DB">{{cite web |last1=Hale |first1=James |title=John McLaughlin: Liberation Time (Abstract logix) |url=https://downbeat.com/reviews/detail/liberation-time |website=DownBeat |access-date=7 September 2022 |date=August 2021}}</ref> |rev5 = ''Jazz Journal'' |rev5score= {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="JJ">{{cite web |last1=Marlow-Stevens |first1=Elliot |title=John McLaughlin: Liberation Time |url=https://jazzjournal.co.uk/2021/09/02/john-mclaughlin-liberation-time/ |website=Jazz Journal |access-date=7 September 2022 |date=2 September 2021}}</ref> |rev6 = ''Jazzwise'' |rev6score={{rating|4|5}}<ref name="JW">{{cite web |last1=Nicholson |first1=Stuart |title=John McLaughlin: Liberation Time |url=https://www.jazzwise.com/review/john-mclaughlin-liberation-time |website=Jazzwise |access-date=22 September 2022 |language=en |date=2021}}</ref> |rev7 = ''Mojo'' |rev7score= {{rating|4|5}}<ref name="MC"/> |rev8=''The Wire'' |rev8score={{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="MC"/> |rev9 = Tom Hull |rev9score = B+<ref>{{cite web |title=Tom Hull: Grade List: John McLaughlin |url=https://tomhull.com/ocston/nm/get_gl.php?n=John+McLaughlin | publisher=Tom Hull |accessdate=7 September 2022}}</ref> }}

'''''Liberation Time''''' is a studio album by British jazz guitarist John McLaughlin. The album was recorded in various locations and released on 16 July 2021 via Abstract Logix. The album's personnel includes members of McLaughlin's current ensemble 4th Dimension: Gary Husband on drums and piano, Etienne Mbappé on bass guitar, Ranjit Barot on drums and Konokol vocals—in addition to invited guests.<ref name="GW">{{cite web |last1=Angle |first1=Brad |title=John McLaughlin: "For me, music is a form of meditation and self-discovery, especially if you’re improvising" |url=https://www.guitarworld.com/features/john-mclaughlin-liberation-time |website=Guitar World |access-date=7 September 2022 |language=en |date=12 May 2022}}</ref>

==Reception== Michael Ullman of ''The Arts Fuse'' stated, "The disc is his defiant, even occasionally joyous, response to the Covid lockdown. In his notes, the guitarist is determined to be positive."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ullman |first1=Michael |title=Jazz Album Review: John McLaughlin's "Liberation Time" -- Driven by the Spirit - The Arts Fuse |url=https://artsfuse.org/232000/jazz-album-review-john-mclaughlins-liberation-time-driven-by-the-spirit/ |website=The Arts Fuse |access-date=7 September 2022 |date=July 4, 2021}}</ref> Elliot Marlow-Stevens of ''Jazz Journal'' wrote, "Drawn from inspiration found during the isolation of the coronavirus pandemic, McLaughlin’s latest album demonstrates his enduring skill as one of fusion’s most important figures."<ref name="JJ"/> James Hale of ''DownBeat'' commented, "A sub-40-minute John McLaughlin recording that includes two solo piano tracks by the leader is bound to be frustrating. Add a pair of band recordings that echo vintage Mahavishnu Orchestra rave-ups, one of which includes a guitar solo filled with ridiculous technique, and you have a recipe for considering what might have been."<ref name="DB"/>

==Track listing== {{Track listing | collapsed = | headline = | total_length = 36:55 | title_width = 500px

| title1 = As the Spirit Sings | writer1 = Sam Burgess, Vinnie Colaiuta, Gary Husband, John McLaughlin | length1 = 5:22

| title2 = Singing our Secrets | writer2 = Jean Michel Aublette, John McLaughlin, Roger Rossignol | length2 = 5:13

| title3 = Lockdown Blues | writer3 = Ranjit Barot, Gary Husband, Etienne Mbappé, John McLaughlin | length3 = 7:19

| title4 = Mila Repa | writer4 = John McLaughlin | length4 = 2:29

| title5 = Right Here, Right Now, Right On | writer5 = Osam Ezzeldin, John McLaughlin, Jérôme Regard, Julian Siegal, Nicolas Viccaro | length5 = 7:26

| title6 = Shade of Blue | writer6 = John McLaughlin | length6 = 1:33

| title7 = Liberation Time | writer7 = Sam Burgess, Gary Husband, John McLaughlin | length7 = 7:49 }}

==Personnel== *John McLaughlin – guitar (tracks 1–3, 5, 7), piano (tracks 4, 6) *Julian Siegel – tenor saxophone (track 5) *Gary Husband – keyboards (tracks 1, 3), drums (track 7) *Oz Ezzeldin – piano (track 5) *Roger Rossignol – piano (track 2) *Sam Burgess – bass (tracks 1, 7) *Etienne Mbappe – bass (track 3) *Jérôme Regard – bass (track 5) *Vinnie Colaiuta – drums (track 1) *Jean-Michel Aublette – drums (track 2), bass (track 2) *Ranjit Barot – drums (track 3), Konokol vocals (track 3) *Nicolas Viccaro – drums (track 5)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.johnmclaughlin.com/project/liberation-time/}}

Category:2021 albums Category:John McLaughlin (musician) albums