Any opinions on John McLaughlins last album?

JM is a virtuoso but his music is cold. Surprising since the man's spirituality has always been a factor in his music. The music lacks soul. Perhaps this is only my anglo-american perspective but this my opinion. The only time the record gets me going are on the last 2 cuts. I always end my commentaries about JM(here & elsewhere)with this simple thought; God, why doesn't he pick up the ol' Les Paul or even the ol' double-neck!!?? That synthesized guitar, as state-of-the-art as it may be it actually sounds dated!

JM's 'Live In Tokyo' album doesn't seem cold at all. How about Sunday Night at San Fransisco? I don't find his passages to be cold either...

The Downbeat review of this album gave it five stars. Only five new albums released in 2008 received this, the highest rating.

YMMV.

"The music lacks soul."
I'd say there is some truth to this only in the last decade or so.. I just bought "Industrial Zen" and while energetic, nothing new here.. same ol fusion jams without really going anywhere memorable.
Now contrast that experience with the wonderful albums "Belo Horizonte" and "Music Spoken Here" from the early 80's or "Electric Dreams" from 1979.
"Belo Horizonte" to me is his best album period. beautiful.

Regardless of how 'cold' I feel he's been playing lately, I'm going to see him and Chick Corea on the 29th, can't wait!!!;)