Record Reviews

JEAN-LUC PONTY ~ ELECTRIC CONNECTION / KING KONG GOTT DISCS 014 ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion 1969 & 1970 albums by the phenomenal French violin virtuoso Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist. Ponty`s violin playing comes from a long and distinguished line of great jazz violinists, starting with Stephane GrappelliFind albums by this artist. After several years of playing jazz with the top players in his native France, Ponty arrived in the US first in 1967 for the Monterey Jazz Festival workshop, where his incredible talent was spotted immediately. He was invited to the US to record a series of albums with the collaboration of the (then) young pianist George DukeFind albums by this artist and arranger / bandleader Gerald WilsonFind albums by this artist. Leter he was to meet and play with Frank ZappaFind albums by this artist. Ponty`s visionary use of the electric violin, which was one of the earliest and formative factors in the development of Jazz-Rock Fusion, is beautifully documented here. The first album finds Ponty in the familiar jazz environment, where he is accompanied by a Big Band, but the fresh approach and use of electric instuments is Fusion at birth. The second album however, arranged especially for Ponty by the Master Frank Zappa himself, is revolutionary in every sense. The compositions (5 by Zappa and 1 by Ponty), the arrangements and the brilliant performances are years ahead of their time and pure musical brilliance. Absolute masterpiece!

CD 2 Remastered Essential Recommend To A Friend