The Promise (John McLaughlin album)

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[2]
The Penguin Guide to Jazz Recordings	[3]

AllMusic gave it four stars and reviewer Thom Jurek stated: "Ultimately, The Promise stands as one of McLaughlin's towering achievements as a guitarist and leader." Walter Koslosky in his All About Jazz review classifies The Promise as "a potpourri of musical styles and performers. Yet, despite its disparate compositions and styles, the record manages to be a cohesive work of art. ... Bravo!"^[4] Guitar Player wrote that "The Promise is segued like a global tour through McLaughlin's musical vision, and, like its author, it is of historic proportions."^[5]

All tracks composed by John McLaughlin; except where indicated

1. "Django" (John Lewis) – 7:24
2. "Thelonius Melodius" – 5:22
3. "Amy and Joseph" – 2:28
4. "No Return" – 7:20
5. "El Ciego" – 9:10
6. "Jazz Jungle" – 14:45
7. "The Wish" – 8:39
8. "English Jam" (Vinnie Colaiuta, John McLaughlin, Sting) – 1:12
9. "Tokyo Decadence" – 0:39
10. "Shin Jin Rui" – 10:47
11. "The Peacocks" (Jimmy Rowles) – 5:53