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Jean-Luc Ponty - Cosmic Messenger CD (album) cover

COSMIC MESSENGER

Jean-Luc Ponty

 

Jazz Rock/Fusion

3.85 | 151 ratings

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Evolver
Special Collaborator
Crossover & JR/F/Canterbury Teams
3 stars In my memory, the seventies were the peak of Jean-Luc Ponty's career. But these days, listening to his albums, I wonder if that is really so.

This album, like many of Ponty's from this time period, consists of a very talented band playing cool rhythms aound not terribly complex chord progressions, with Ponty providing some great violin solos and sometimes sharing the spotlight. There is little melody to speak of, and few breaks.

But the band is excellent. They take these riffs and soar. Ponty is as good as ever, and his sidemen, including guitarists Peter Maunu and Joaquin Lievano and keyboardinst Allan Zavod (who would later tour with Frank Zappa) also provide fine solos.

The highlight is Fake Paradise that trades a compoung 9/8 6/8 rhythm with a more traditional 4/4.

The album is good, but the live concerts were way better.

Evolver | 3/5 |

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