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. 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 reemerged 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. LP1: SIDE A: 1. Devotion 11.26 2. Dragon Song 4.14 SIDE B: 1. Marbles 4.05 2. Siren 5.55 3. Don’t Let The Dragon Eat Your Mother 5.18 4. Purpose Of When 4.45 John McLaughlin - guitar; Larry Young - organ, electric piano; Billy Rich - bass; Buddy Miles - drums, percussion
