Dance of Maya

Mahavishnu Orchestra, 1971, from The Inner Mounting Flame. Solo by John McLaughlin.

Starts with a heavy chord figure in 10/8, then turns into a shuffle blues solo.

Dance of Maya begins with a heavy chord figure in 10/8, dark and hypnotic, before switching into a surprising shuffle blues for the solo. John McLaughlin's playing in that section is raw and bluesy, full of rapid bends and fierce runs, contrasting sharply with the complex opening. The shift from odd meter to a loose shuffle feels like the band stepping into a different world. It shows how the Mahavishnu Orchestra could mix intricate composition with simple, earthy grooves. Listen for how the guitar solo sits over the shuffle, keeping the blues feeling while hinting at the tension of the opening riff.

Dance of Maya by Mahavishnu Orchestra is featured in our Fusion (#19) list. The solo is played by John McLaughlin and the song was released in 1971.

In our lists

• The 25 Greatest Fusion Guitar Solos — #19
• The Best Mahavishnu Orchestra Guitar Solos — #2
• The Best John McLaughlin Guitar Solos — #6

Sources