Jazz fusion by itself is already a vast field. Violin jazz fusion might narrow things down somewhat and Jean-Luc Ponty stands out among its practitioners. Ponty might have been trained in classical music but under the influence of Miles Davis and John Coltrane, he switched to jazz and for someone who has played on John McLaughlin/Mahavishnu Orchestra albums, he certainly needs no introduction. And anyone who is endorsed by Frank Zappa is certainly worth at least a listen.
Thanks to tgb25nld who shared this very good FM (re-)broadcast on the Dime site. And tgb25nld is not off the mark when he noted: “Here is a truly spectacular set from JLP with Steurmer (g), Fowler (b), Craney (d) and Zavod (kbd) that will melt your speakers and intoxicate your mind.”
The mid-’70s was a fruitful period for Ponty. He had released Aurora in December 1975 and barely six months later, he released Imaginary Voyage and fans simply lapped up the selections he played at this 1976 Hamburg show.
This is certainly not drive-time fusion or jazz for lounging in the afternoon. This is fiery red-hot fusion with Ponty attacking the music with a vengeance. One can only wonder what demons he was trying to exorcise.
Live in Hamburg, Germany, September 17, 1976. Very good FM (re-)broadcast
Personnel:
Mark Craney (drums)
Tom Fowler (bass)
Jean-Luc Ponty (violin)
Darryl Stuermer (guitar)
Allan Zavod (keyboard)
Tracklist:
01. Is Once Enough
02. Polyfolk Dance
03. Lost Forest
04. Aurora
05. Renaissance
06. Question With No Answers
07. Passenger Of The Dark
08. Bowing-Bowing
09. Tarantula
10. Wandering on the Milky
11. Fight For Life
ARMU 2258
ARMU 2258 (zippyshare)