Le Voyage: The Jean-Luc Ponty Anthology CD

Personnel includes: Jean-Luc Ponty (violin, Autoharp, organ, electric piano, keyboards, synthesizer, electronic percussion); Patrice Rushen, Allen Holdsworth, Scott Henderson.
Recorded between 1975 and 1985, and in 1993.
Personnel: Jean-Luc Ponty (autoharp, violin, electric piano, organ, synthesizer, bass synthesizer, keyboard bass, electronic percussion); Joaquin Lievano, Peter Maunu (guitar, guitar synthesizer); Daryl Stuermer, Dan Sawyer, Martin Atangana, Allan Holdsworth, Scott Henderson , Jamie Glaser (guitar); Allan Zavod (piano, Clavinet, organ, keyboards, synthesizer); Patrice Rushen (piano, Clavinet, organ, synthesizer); Chris Rhyne (piano, keyboards, synthesizer, bass synthesizer); Wally Minko (piano, keyboards); Mokhtar Samba (drums, cowbells, timbales); Norman Fearrington, Ndugu, Ray Griffin (drums, percussion); Mark Craney (drums); Abdou M'Boup (cowbells, shaker); Paulinho Da Costa (percussion).
Audio Remasterers: Geoff Sykes; Bill Inglot.
Recording information: Bill Schnee Studio, North Hollywood, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Chateau Recorders, North Hollywood, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Cherokee REcording Studios, Hollywood, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Home Studio, Santa Monica, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Kendrun Recording Studios, Burbank, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); la Tour Di'Ivoire, Los Angeles, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Music Grinder, Hollywood, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Ocean Way Recording, Hollywood, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Paramount Recording Studios, Hollywood, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Santa Barbara, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Studios, Davout, Paris, France (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Village Recorders, West Los Angeles, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993); Westlake Audio, Los Angeles, CA (05/25/1975-03/??/1993).
Ponty has worked with Frank Zappa and John McLaughlin, has provided brilliant violin work as a session player, and has had a terrific run as a bandleader. This two-disc set dips into Ponty's Atlantic Records releases, tracing the development of Ponty's particular brand of jazz fusion and providing a very nice look at his career as a bandleader. A few of the cuts seem a bit watery and thin, but this has more to do with the original recording and mixing than the performances or mastering -- Rhino's mastering department has provided the usual quality of production here. Jean-Luc Ponty is a notable performer in the jazz arena, one who has a clear vision and strong ideals when it comes to his music -- he likes to test his boundaries and explore new possibilities. A notable collection. ~ Steven McDonaldQ (7/96, pp.143-144) - 3 Stars - Good - "...this strictly chronological double CD set follows his escapades from 1975 to 1993, revealing his flirtatious ways with bop, free jazz, rock and experimental electronics. His virtuosity is dazzling throughout..."