Record Reviews

JEAN-LUC PONTY ~ IN CONCERT MPS 4029759195207 (Barcode: 4029759195207) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-World Fusion Recorded: 1999 Released: 2026 This is a reissue / remaster of a live album by French Jazz violinist / composer / bandleader Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, recorded during the 41st Jazz Jamboree Festival on October 23, 1999 (the album’s info liner notes give a wrong date) at the Sala Kongresowa in Warsaw, Poland, which I attended of course. Ponty performed with a quintet, which included keyboardist William LecomteFind albums by this artist, Cameroonian bassist Guy Nsangue AkwaFind albums by this artist, drummer Thierry ArpinoFind albums by this artist and Guinean percussionist Moustapha CisseFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine tracks, all composed by Ponty, one co-composed with Akwa. The album offers an excellent sound quality, especially for a live recording. The music is a chronicle of Ponty’s recordings since the 1970s, and not surprisingly appears a bit like a “best of” collection, but considering the fresh arrangements, which are more Jazz / Jazz-World Fusion oriented, rather than the Jazz-Rock Fusion style they were originally created in, which benefits the music incredibly. I have been lucky to hear Ponty live many times, and this is definitely one of his best recorded live performance ever. Overall, this is a great trip down the memory lane and a superb piece of music, which sounds as fresh and unique as it did at the time of the recording. Although released previously on CD and DVD, this new remastered edition offers the best sound quality and is a great addition to any serious music collection.

Updated: 30/09/2026Posted: 30/09/2026

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend

JEAN-LUC PONTY ~ LIFE ENIGMA MPS 4029759187936 (Barcode: 4029759187936) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Ambient Fusion Recorded: 2001 Released: 2024 This is a reissue of an album by French Jazz violinist / composer Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, recorded in his home studio using various synthesizers, which expanded his violin sound to create a more orchestral ambience. Several additional musicians were invited to play on selected tracks, including bassist Guy Nsangue AkwaFind albums by this artist, percussionist Moustapha CisseFind albums by this artist, drummer Thierry ArpinoFind albums by this artist and pianist William LecomteFind albums by this artist. The album presents ten tracks, all composed by Ponty. The album offers the usual highly melodic musical themes, given a modern, almost Ambient makeup, and supported by African rhythmic lines, which are, as usual, highly effective and immediately “likeable”, despite the fact that the music is by far not trivial or simplistic. On the contrary, some of these melody lines are deeply introspect and reflective and offer an emotional depth. Overall, this is another excellent offering by Ponty, who never recorded anything below excellent, regardless the specific genre he was involved with at a time. This is a minimalist, somewhat Ambient sounding album, which lost nothing of its beauty over time and still offers some highly aesthetic and reflective music, perhaps less exciting than his earlier Fusion effort, but definitely no less rewarding.

Updated: 14/08/2024Posted: 14/08/2024

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend

JEAN-LUC PONTY ~ THE ATACAMA EXPERIENCE MPS 4029759187356 (Barcode: 4029759187356) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz Recorded: 2007 Released: 2025 This is a reissue / remaster of an album by French Jazz violinist / composer / bandleader Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist, recorded in quintet setting with keyboardist William LecomteFind albums by this artist, Cameroonian bassist Guy Nsangue AkwaFind albums by this artist, drummer Thierry ArpinoFind albums by this artist and Senegalese percussionist Taffa CisseFind albums by this artist. British guitarist Allan HoldsworthFind albums by this artist guests on one track and Belgian guitarist Philip CatherineFind albums by this artist guests on three tracks. The album presents fourteen tracks, all but two composed by Ponty, one composed by Lecomte and finally one is a standard by Bud PowellFind albums by this artist. This is so far the last solo album recorded by Ponty. The music is absolutely brilliant, full of vigor and brilliant performances by Ponty and all the participants. As in most of his late albums, there is a strong World Music influence emphasized by African drummers, but this album is a glorious return to Ponty’s best years in the 1970s and 1980s, including highly lyrical and typical French Jazz violin parts as well. Both guitarists add superb soloing as well. Overall, this is a brilliant album, which mostly passed unnoticed when originally released, and now is a great opportunity to fill the gap. It spans stylistically the Fusion, World and pure Jazz periods, being a summary of sorts of this great Musician’s career, and if someone misses it in their collection, repent now, as this is pure Gold!

Updated: 16/07/2025Posted: 16/07/2025

CD 1 Digipak Remastered Recommend To A Friend