Mahavishnu Orchestra

The Mahavishnu Orchestra was the name of two jazz-fusion groups led by John McLaughlin, in 1971–1976 and 1984–1987. The band's original lineup featured "Mahavishnu" John McLaughlin on acoustic and electric guitars, with members Billy Cobham on drums, Rick Laird on bass guitar, Jan Hammer on electric and acoustic piano and synthesizer, and Jerry Goodman on violin. After the original group dissolved, it reformed in 1974 with a new cast of musicians behind McLaughlin: Jean-Luc Ponty on violin, Gayle Moran on keyboards, Ralphe Armstrong on bass, and Narada Michael Walden on percussion, Steven Kindler and Carol Shive on violin, Marcia Westbrook on viola, Phil Hirschi on cello, Steve Frankevich and Bob Knapp on brass. The band was then reduced to a four-piece for 1976's Inner Worlds, with Jean-Luc Ponty leaving after a heated disagreement about writing credits on the Visions album, and Gayle Moran being replaced with Stu Goldberg. In 1984, McLaughlin reformed the Mahavishnu Orchestra with Bill Evans on saxophones, Jonas Hellborg on bass, Mitchel Forman on keyboards, and original member Billy Cobham on drums. Cobham participated in the sessions for their self-titled 1984 album, but was replaced by Danny Gottlieb for live work, and Jim Beard replaced Mitchel Forman for the latter period of this band's life. This band's overall sound was different from the original Mahavishnu Orchestra, in particular because of McLaughlin's extensive use of the Synclavier synthesiser system. (Read more at Wikipedia )

Links to Peel
Although at the moment we don't have recordings or writings of Peel mentioning Mahavishnu Orchestra, we can assume that he was interested in them when they came out, judging from the number of times he played their music when their first two albums were released.

Also, Peel seemed to be interested in John McLaughlin's carreer: in 1977 he declared a session by his other band Shakti as one of the best recorded that year and also aired some of his other music during his carreer.

Sessions

 * none, but John McLaughlin had one with his other band Shakti

Other Shows Played
(Please add more information if known)
 * 07 April 1972: Noonwood Race (LP – The Inner Mounting Flame) CBS
 * 11 April 1972: Meeting Of The Spirits (LP – The Inner Mounting Flame) CBS
 * 18 April 1972: Awakening (LP – The Inner Mounting Flame) CBS
 * 25 April 1972: Vital Transformation (LP – The Inner Mounting Flame) CBS
 * 09 May 1972: The Dance Of The Maya (LP - The Inner Mounting Flame) CBS
 * 05 September 1972: The Noonward Race (LP - The Inner Mounting Flame) CBS
 * 13 March 1973: One Word (LP – Birds Of Fire) CBS
 * 20 March 1973: Open Country Joy (LP – Birds Of Fire) CBS
 * 27 March 1973: Miles Beyond (LP – Birds Of Fire) CBS
 * D022 (1975): Be Happy (LP - Visions Of The Emerald Beyond)