Enigmatic Ocean CD

Live Recording

Personnel: Jean-Luc Ponty (electric violin, violectra, bells, piano); Allan Zavod (piano, electric piano, clavinet, organ, synthesizer); Allan Holdsworth, Daryl Stuermer (electric guitar); Ralphe Armstrong (electric bass); Steve Smith (drums, percussion).
Recorded in June and July, 1977.
Consistently imaginative, Enigmatic Ocean is one of Jean-Luc Ponty's finest accomplishments. The French violinist recorded his share of fusion gems during the 1970s, and this album is at the top of the list. Often aggressive but sometimes reflective and moody, this CD is as unpredictable as it is adventurous. Ponty has plenty of room to stretch out, let loose, and blow, and electric guitarists Allan Holdsworth and Daryl Stuermer contribute some inspired solos as well. Also quite impressive is the insightful and passionate drumming of Steve Smith, who went on to lead the superb fusion band Vital Information. Ponty takes one risk after another, and all of them pay off beautifully. ~ Alex Henderson
Arguably Jean-Luc Ponty's finest record, ENIGMATIC OCEAN benefits from the two-pronged attack of Ponty's engrossing violin playing and guitarist Allan Holdsworth's equally majestic command of his own six-string and its accompanying devices. Compositionally, the tracks move from fast and furious fusion to moments of blissful restraint.
The lovely "Nostalgic Lady" features Holdsworth in peak form, coloring in the foreground with pastel shades of guitar synth, while former Journey drummer Steve Smith caresses Ponty's sultry violins with graceful strokes to cymbal and snare. The multi-part title track soars on spacey beds of synthesizer, guitar, and drums. As Ponty's rhythmic foil, Smith has never been better, and reveals himself as one of the finest drummers to have emerged from '70s fusion. Enigmatic arrangements and enigmatic playing make Ponty's OCEAN the perfect balm for mind and soul.