This instalment of Guitarists You Should Hear features John McLaughlin, one of the most influential guitarists in improvised music over the last 40 years.

Please note: Most of the album titles in this post are links to the iTunes Store and will not work if you have not installed iTunes.

Early Career

A native of England, he got his start as a jazz and session guitarist on the London music scene during the 1960s. In 1969, he recorded the album Extrapolation with saxophonist John Surman, bassist Brian Odges, and drummer Tony Oxley, which established him as a virtuoso improviser.

Here is Binky’s Beam from the album Extrapolation:

McLaughlin moved to the United States later in 1969 to join drummer Tony Williams‘ band Lifetime. He appeared on the album Turn it Over, which also featured bassist/singer Jack Bruce (formerly of Cream) and organist Larry Young.

Vuelta Abajo from the Tony Williams Lifetime album Turn it Over:

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