Jean Luc Ponty Imaginary Voyage

As of 1976, Jean-Luc Ponty's variations on the Mahavishnu Orchestra theme were still fresh and imaginative, cast in a distinctively different, more lyrical, more controlled framework. For Imaginary Voyage, Ponty's instrumental lineup is identical to that of Mahavishnu – electric violin, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums – but he turns the emphasis on its head, with all commands coming directly from the violin (his) and less competitive crossplay emanating from his colleagues…

Excellent addition to any prog rock music collection.
Jean-Luc Ponty reaches a musical peak by releasing this excellent fusion record. Looking at the new line-up here, the talent and reliability of the musicians is not questionable: Mark Craney (Jethro Tull's "A") plays very fast and EXTREMELY elaborated drums.

A pioneer of the electric violin in the 1970’s, and an inspired manipulator of sequencers and synthesisers in the 1980’s, Jean-Luc Ponty is the undisputed master of his instrument in this area. Experimenting with electronics and synthesis, he liberated the violin’s image and capabilities from classical or folk settings. After cutting several albums for the World Pacific label in the late 1960s and the early 1970s, In 1974, fresh from a tour with the Mahavishnu Orchestra until he signed a solo deal with Atlantic Records. Throughout the next decade, he was to record a dozen visionary albums, 5 of which are included here.

Released in 2011 by Warner/Rhino France. 4-CD box set with a compilation of the best tracks from 15 albums produced by Jean-Luc for Atlantic Records between 1975 and 1996. All digital re-mastering as well as old photos and liner notes in French were produced with Jean-Luc's collaboration.

Jean Luc Ponty - Live at Semper Opera (2002) {JLP–Harmonia Mundi 274 1187}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 501 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 173 Mb
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© 2002 Harmonia Mundi / JLP Productions Inc. | 274 1187
Jazz / Fusion / Electric Violin

Jean Luc Ponty, veteran pioneering Jazz violinist recorded this CD at Semper Opera, Dresden in Germany, live and without dubbing; he says it is the most acoustic of his three live albums. The opening track "Imaginary Voyage; Infinite Pursuit" uses an ostinato effect that gives it a repetitive feel, but it opens out gradually, becoming more intricate when Ponty enters with his fine toned five string electric violin. There is also a noticeable African influence, with Mousstapha Cisse on percussion and Guy Nsangue Akwa on bass. "Mouna Bowa" is the first track that restricts itself to some straight forward swing by Ponty; he has a clear, precise tone and a sizzling technique, the whole band is articulate and inventive, this track is great fun.

Mystical Adventures expands Jean-Luc Ponty's palette slightly with the introduction of part-time percussionist Paulinho Da Costa and the use of a vocoder on a couple of tracks. Otherwise, it's the same mixture of mildly intoxicating arpeggios and flights of fancy that you'd find in various amounts on any Ponty album from this period.

Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music
This live album was my starter to JL Ponty his work. I was in a record shop, watched the cover picture (photos from Armando Gallo, known from his work for Genesis) …

Essential: a masterpiece of progressive rock music
In 1977, French jazz fusion violinist par excellence Jean Luc Ponty released his outstanding ENIGMATIC OCEAN..