John McLaughlin / Shakti - The Montreux Concerts discs 3-4 July 6, 1976
John McLaughlin / Shakti - The Montreux Concerts disc 5  July 8, 1977

For me, these three discs are the highlights of the entire Montreux set. While there was some amazing chemistry in the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Shakti sound more like four avatars of the same musician they’re so tuned into one another. Having heard a number of Shakti shows from this era, neither of these shows were much of a surprise except that they manage to keep the quality level so high from stint to stint. So much of the Shakti MO is the build up from some sort of loping tabla beat to a dizzying crescendo of unison riffs and dexterous playing, breathing in and out like meditation. The way all four musicians listen to one another and play off of each others’ improvisations almost instantly is always awe inspiring to listen to and there’s a youth and vigor that the Shakti name left far behind when the Remember was appended. To hear these shows in the quality they’re in is a real treat, especially as this is probably one of the greatest bands that ever got on a stage to play music together. There may be just a little more fire on the shorter set, but both of these are essential. Maybe only their Pori Jazz gig was more impressive.

Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO - Ivan Piskov’s Wild Gals a Go Go
Acid Mothers Temple & The Melting Paraiso UFO - Pataphysical Freak Out Mu!

I always feel like I cop a pout every time I talk about the Acid Mothers and it’s even easier to pout when we go back this far in their logarithmically increasing catalog. One assumes just by living that one’s experiences and personal repertoire expand as one ages so that even this group of musical anarchists may have picked up some more “musical” tricks, but back this far, especially on Ivan Piskov, they sound like a band creating music well beyond their capabilities. What’s even more harsh is the annoying electronic tone that opens and closes the album, it’s as if they’re literally trying to provide the musical effect of being dosed at a party you can’t leave. The band wails hard and heavy during most of the album, relentless and intense. It’s as if they only know the on and off switch, either ambient droning or full on electricity and the lack of balance between them wears out their welcome in about ten minutes. Pataphysical Freak Out Mu is a little more assured (and not a soundtrack, although that doesn’t seem to make a difference in their sound) with a bit more breathing room, but it’s still pretty early in the catalog and it’s hard not to get the impression that they are in way over the heads, covering up the lack of chops with cacophany.