MUSIC: 4.5/5
SONICS: 5/5
Label: Impex Records
Reviewer: Bill Milkowski
Source: The Absolute Sound, March 2026 issue
In the March 2026 issue of The Absolute Sound, veteran jazz journalist Bill Milkowski reviews Music for Abandoned Heights as an accomplishment in both music and audiophile excellence. Its 4.5/5 music score and perfect 5/5 for sonics highlight just what makes this Impex LP so irresistible: It showcases guitar legend John McLaughlin in remarkably inspired form, all while offering up reference-quality sound.
McLaughlin, at 84, may have hung up his touring shoes, but as Milkowski points out, he is still creatively on fire. Whether he is working at home in Monte Carlo or in professional studios, the trailblazing fusion guitarist keeps seeking new ground.
A Long-Shelved Soundtrack Finally Released
Originally imagined as a soundtrack for an American film by the director Jack Stallings (unreleased, to date), Music for Abandoned Heights was recorded at Eastcote Studios in London in May 2019. Now released on Impex, the album functions as its own cinematic and richly layered listening experience.
Milkowski adds that McLaughlin’s pieces are “character-driven,” influenced by the atmospheres and narrative detail provided by Stallings. Instead of acting as background reminders, the pieces play out like vibrant musical scenes, merging restraint with intensity both with masterful control.
Atmosphere, Lyricism & Fusion Fire
The album uncovers a gentler McLaughlin on several highlights:
- “Curaçao Dream” — Pensive and meditative
- “One Step Out” — Lightly swinging and rhythmically buoyant
- “Nathaniel & Christine” — A lyrical ballad inspired by “You Know You Know” (Mahavishnu Orchestra)
- “The End” – Clear, spacious
- “Christine” — A sublime guitar-synth showcase
But the guitarist’s trademark high-voltage attack is fully intact. McLaughlin’s storied fretboard fusillades light up:
- “The Scene”
- “DC Basketball”
- “The Beat Goes On” – a new reading of Miles Davis’ “Right Off” from his album Jack Johnson
These tracks confirm McLaughlin as one of fusion’s most galvanizing innovators.
Julian Siegel & the 4th Dimension
McLaughlin is accompanied by members of his long-time band, The 4th Dimension:
- Gary Husband — drums and keyboards
- Etienne Mbappé – electric bass
Adding depth and tonal contrast is Julian Siegel, a UK saxophonist. Milkowski emphasizes the group’s brisk ensemble playing, finding a cinematic grace in all those explosive interactions.
Reference-Quality Vinyl from Impex
As per usual with Impex, the mastering and presentation on LP are first-rate. Milkowski’s 5/5 sonics rating reflects:
- Expansive, three-dimensional imaging
- Exceptional instrumental clarity
- Deep, articulate bass
- Sparkling high-frequency detail
For audiophiles and vinyl collectors, Music for Abandoned Heights is an artistic statement but also a system showcase.
Final Thoughts
Within McLaughlin’s late career, Music for Abandoned Heights is not so much a coda as a further evolution. As Bill Milkowski writes in The Absolute Sound, it’s a clutch release — wide-screen, vibrant, and impeccably produced.
Bottom Line: A gorgeously recorded, deeply affecting soundtrack album that ranks as one of John McLaughlin’s most accomplished late-period works — and a required score for jazz fusion fans and audiophile vinyl heads alike.
Further Listening
For more late-period wizardry, check out Liberation Time, a further indication that McLaughlin remains in his creative prime.
Purchase Music for Abandoned Heights on 180g Vinyl HERE!
