This album is from a pivotal moment in
McLaughlin's history. This was just after he left
Miles' group, but before
Mahavishnu Orchestra started, and the music captures this moment perfectly.
McLaughlin's technique had not progressed to "Mahavishnu" perfection yet, but the music has the in-your-face rock drive of
the Mahavishnu Orchestra. This recording date grew out of sessions
Alan Douglas put together, featuring
McLaughlin and
Larry Young jamming with
Jimi Hendrix and
Buddy Miles (
Billy Rich was the bass player).
McLaughlin sounded timid next to
Hendrix (none of the material with
Hendrix has been officially released), but really comes to life on
Devotion. This is arguably one of the finest acid rock albums of all time.
McLaughlin is on fire, using fuzzboxes and phasers, over
Larry Young's swirling Hammond B-3, with
Billy Rich and
Buddy Miles as the rock-solid rhythm section. If you think that
McLaughlin's solo at the end of "Right Off" (from A Tribute to Jack Johnson) is one of the high points of his career, then this is the album for you. Soon after this album was recorded,
McLaughlin holed up, practiced like crazy, and re-emerged as "Mahavishnu"
John McLaughlin, with both a new sound and a new band. Documenting the period just before that transition,
Devotion is a complete anomaly in his catalog, as well as one of his finest achievements.