From rock to jazz to classical to world music, the guitarist John McLaughlin is indefinable, but here is back doing what many people like him doing best. Probably still most closely associated with the Mahvishnu Orchestra, immediately after that band folded, McLaughlin teamed with tabla player Zakir Hussain to form Shakti, recording three albums in the late 1970s, which anticipated world-fusion music. Since then Hussain has become a musician of international repute, playing with such luminaries as Jan Gabarek and issuing the fine soundtrack Vanaprastham--The Last Dance. Remember Shakti is the 77-minute document of what happened when, in the summer of 1999, McLaughlin and Hussain were joined by U Shrinivas (mandolin) and V Selvaganesh (kanjira and ghatam) to take Shakti back on the road. There are six lengthy tracks, and while long-time fans with recognise themes as old material is revisited, in true jazz fashion everything is remade anew. This is a stunning showcase of the improviser's art, the interwoven musical lines so breathtakingly tight it seems McLaughlin (whether on acoustic or electric guitar) and Hussain must be able to read one another's minds. When the full quartet takes flight the result is music of uplifting, dynamic beauty. --Gary S Dalkin