Matt’s new book ‘John McLaughlin: From Miles and Mahavishnu to The 4th Dimension’ is available now and can be ordered via the links below.
‘A must-have in every aspiring musician’s personal library.’ Billy Cobham, Mahavishnu Orchestra drummer
‘A wonderful insight into a true innovator and colossus of the guitar.’ Mark King, Level 42 bassist/vocalist
‘Scrupulously researched… A fluent career overview.’ **** MOJO, December 2023
‘The most comprehensive overview of McLaughlin’s career to make it into print thus far.’ **** Shindig!, January 2024
‘Comprehensive and thoroughly researched, Phillips’ book is a revelation. A must-read for guitar aficionados and McLaughlin devotees.’ Bill Milkowski, author of ‘Jaco’ and ‘Michael Brecker’
‘Riveting… Meticulous storytelling… The book is not just a narrative, it’s a visual feast.’ Jazz In Europe
‘Paints the fullest picture yet of the guitarist’s life.’ Jazzed
‘Thorough and impassioned… The first book to fully illuminate the least-appreciated, least-documented periods in the extraordinary career of this wondrously free-spirited, prolific, perpetually questing artist.’ Booklist
UK orders:
Rowman & Littlefield (Enter discount code RLFANDF30 to save 30% off the list price)
USA orders:
Rowman & Littlefield (Enter discount code RLFANDF30 to save 30% off the list price)
It’s an exhaustive look at John’s catalogue, live career and spiritual life, with an introductory note by Robert Fripp, testimonials from Mark King, Billy Cobham and Bill Milkowski, interviews with key collaborators and lots of exclusive photographs. I cover John’s early sessions with David Bowie and Donovan, his remarkable sideman work with Tony Williams and Miles Davis, the fabled solo career fronting The Mahavishnu Orchestra and Shakti and various projects alongside the likes of Sting, Jeff Beck, Herbie Hancock and Carlos Santana.

Gilles Peterson just name checked this on BBC 6!
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Cool, thanks a lot for letting me know, will have a listen.
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Hi Winston, do you know which date Gilles namechecked it? Thanks.
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Hi Matt I think it was this one: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001z3j5?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile
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Cheers – I listened to that one and didn’t hear anything. Ah well. I did hear him mention it on his Brownswood podcast though which was cool.
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Gosh maybe it was the week by before or after – I only listen to them way after the fact ( so I can skip through the songs that l don’t like!!)
He said your book had made him go back and listen to all the recordings again!
Deep deep was a phrase he used
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That’s cool, thanks. He’s one of the nicest guys in the biz.
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