Mahavishnu fans only

I am more a fan (and a big fan) of the post-Mahavishnu through current, John McLaughlin work. 

They are both great but for personal reasons, Inner Mounting Flame. I was already a massive fan when it came out because of his earlier work with Miles which I love and it blew me away. IMF was a big step in his evolution while Birds Of Fire I think was more of an o credential change.  I also dig the quiet soulful virtuosity of My Goal’s Beyond — especially his cover of Goodbye Porkpie Hat. Plus, what can you say about his work with Miles? Finally, on a personal note, I saw him on his tour with Carlos Santana in the mid-70’s. I was sitting in row 9, way too close to this massive tower of speakers — I think I lost 2% of my hearing that night — but it was worth it! (The matter is provably a heretical thing to admit on an audiophile site!)

Sorry “incremental” not “credential”

I had to really think this one through. The Mahavishnu Orchestra sound is ALL refined power. Listen to the Dance of Maya again. Of course, it’s outrageously powerful, but note the structure that drives it. The time signatures. The counterpoint. Syncopation...

The truth is that I love nearly all of their stuff. It’s also true that I heard the Inner Mounting Flame album before any of the others, and that may bias my analysis.

Still, when I HAVE to hear some Mahavishnu, I almost always turn to Inner Mounting Flame first, just as I did all those years ago.

Also:   I entirely concur with Heilbron's opinion of McLaughlin's "quiet soulful virtuosity of My Goal’s Beyond".   
IMO, his cover of "Goodbye Porkpie Hat" is the best of the many versions if that great jazz standard.