CIVILIZED EVIL

Not my favourite album from this talented jazz violin player but it is an excellent purchase for progressive jazz lovers. Globally the sound is more into the 80's with a bunch of old fashioned synthesised sounds. The technical aspect of Ponty's music is always well represented in long instrumental interludes dominated by rapid scales, fine rhythmical sections. Songs as "happy robots" and "demagomania" are really not my cup of tea; a kind of funky jazz trip which sounds terribly old dated for my ears. Hopefully this album contains a few captivating, exciting compositions as the grandiose and epic "in case we survive", the "cosmic" adventure suggested "once a blue planet". In this album, you can't really find "retro" jazz fusion compositions because Ponty clearly put the stress on new technology's capacities and opportunities of the time; that's the reason why this album sounds a little bit soft and anachronic today. However it's an interesting effort and a memorable listening if you get in touch with Ponty's mid period.