Any modern band that comes close to Mahavishnu Orchestra ?

When I say " in slow motion " I don't only mean speed per se, it is the mastery of the technique.
Any sound or noise can have subjective meaning to someone, we are not talking about that.

I think Oz has all the technique he needs to do what he does.  McLaughlin has long been my fave electric guy but as far as the last 20 years go I like Oz.  I appreciate the musicanship of all those other cats but his music reaches me and theirs does not.   Same with George Harrison--hardly virtuosic but IMO he always did the right thing in the allotted space.  I realize other people have their favorites and may not care for mine.  I've been around the diMeola faction at a concert of "the trio" and I've seen people who thought Eric Johnson put on a clinic jamming with Oz Noy.  They could not believe that I or anyone else could have found Oz more musically satisfying than Eric.   

I would go with Gilmour not Harrison given the choice.

I love Gilmour's playing, too.  So much taste and such great ideas.

So, we are in agreement regarding McLaughlin and Gilmour.