John McLaughlin Music for Abandoned Heights

Guitar Maestro's Spectacular 2025 Album on HQ-180g Vinyl!
Mastered by Grammy® Winner Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering!
Pressed at RTI!
John McLaughlin has one of the richest artistic legacies in modern music – not only because of his unsurpassed technique, but also because of his almost limitless versatility: from the early masterpieces "Extrapolation" and "Love Devotion Surrender" (with Carlos Santana) to the genre-bending albums of the Mahavishnu Orchestra and the rousing acoustic excursions with Al Di Meola and Paco de Lucia, McLaughlin has always been looking for something new and transcendent. Now he has enriched the world of film music with a unique musical vision: "Music For Abandoned Heights" – the spectacular 2025 album of the guitar maestro, which Impex Records is now releasing for the first time on HQ-180g vinyl (33 rpm)!
Compositionally, McLaughlin poured his imagination into the film's script to craft a rich blend of hot fusion and pensive ballads. He describes his writing process: "In my mind I would interact with the different personalities and situations and wait for my imagination to come up with themes, atmospheres and emotional 'colors' that echoed the drama and action." The resulting musical explorations give the album a muscular, turbulent beauty reminiscent of McLaughlin's electric fusion classics Inner World and To the One.
McLaughlin's searing electric and mellifluous acoustic guitar lines are assertively supported by virtuosic performances from frequent collaborators Gary Husband (drums/keyboards), Julian Siegel (saxophone), Misha Mullov-Abbado and Etienne Mbappé (bass). These industry vets gracefully spark fire on heavier tunes like "The Scene" and introspective delicacy on the ballad "Nathaniel and Christine."
Impex Records is delighted to bring you the newest incarnation of John McLaughlin's storied career, as he continues his quest for the sublime.
"Music For Abandoned Heights" was recorded and mixed by Grammy Award winner George Murphy at Eastcote Studios, London. The HQ 180g vinyl was pressed by RTI, and remastered by Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering. The LP comes with a deluxe booklet with studio photographs and new notes by John McLaughlin and the popular music journalist Walter Kolosky.
"I love this album. John's songs are so beautiful and the playing is strong and sensitive. An album you can listen to over and over as you find new corners and performances to admire." - Mark Myers, Jazz Wax
"McLaughlin isn't revisiting old ground — he's still exploring, still refining, still pushing into expressive territory that feels unmistakably his. Music for Abandoned Heights stands on its own as a compact, thoughtful, and surprisingly emotional statement from an artist who continues to create with purpose." - Scott Wilson, Audiophilia
"Abandoned Heights now joins my collection of favorite film scores. I've played it a dozen times, and it pins me to the listening seat from first to last... It's the most engaging fusion album I've heard in an exceptionally long time." - Dennis Davis, The Audio Beat, Music 5/5, Sound 5/5

Features:

• 33RPM HQ-180g Vinyl LP
• Recorded & Mixed by Grammy® Winner George Murphy at Eastcote Studios, London
• Mastered by Grammy® Winner Chris Bellman at Bernie Grundman Mastering
• Deluxe Booklet with Studio Photography & New Notes by John McLaughlin and Music Journalist Walter Kolosky
• Pressed on Highest-Quality Vinyl at Record Technology, Inc. for Quieter Surfaces, Extended Frequency Response & Incredible Musical Detail

Musicians:

• John McLaughlin, guitar, guitar synth, programming
• Gary Husband, drums, keyboards
• Julian Siegel, tenor & soprano saxophones
• Misha Mullov-Abbado, acoustic bass
• Etienne Mbappé, electric bass

Selections:

Side A
1. The Scene
2. Curaçao Dream
3. Will & Elijah On the Train
4. Elijah in DC
5. Malcolm Fitzgerald
Side B
1. DC Basketball
2. Nathaniel & Christine
3. Nathaniel Drives To New Jersey
4. One Step Out
5. The End