The Tony Williams Lifetime

Tony Williams formed Lifetime after leaving the Larry Young. Ex-Cream bass player Jack Bruce ed just after the first album was recorded for live dates and the second album, after which McLaughlin left in order to pursue his own career and Bruce left for other projects including his own career. Larry Young remained for the third album (in 1971), which featured a much larger ensemble. For the fourth Lifetime album the personnel had changed completely as the direction shifted further toward something less radical.

The original formation recorded two albums (One Word - a McLaughlin composition that was also included to huge success in his second Mahavishnu Orchestra album. Lifetime's sound was on the very cutting edge of fusion for many listeners. Loads of distortion, unconventional lyrics and erratic drumming were the trademarks of this remarkable project.