JEAN LUC PONTY & HIS BAND: THE ATACAMA EXPERIENCE

I got this album a few months ago, and have been quite disapointed at first listening, i tried two or three spins and then put it on the shelves and forgot it.Finaly, i decided to give it a last chance and tried a new listening,god bless me! i was wrong ! Of course it doesn't peak at prior releases level as enigmatic ocean ,for instance, but , in fact it's a very pleasant and tasteful album filled mainly with classical melodies.The back band is the same as on the fantastic dvd release from 2003 (IN CONCERT )consisting of LECOMTE,ARPINO,NSANGUE,CISSE incrased for a few tracks with two guests HOLDSWORTH and CATHERINE on guitar.This recording's sound is very clear and accoustic oriented on violin except one track (ACATA EXPERIENCE) that experiences with electronic effects, inpired by a visit at canyons in acatama deserts in nothern chile.The band has a great musical interraction acquired by playing on stage for many years and it's quite obvious listening to this record.A must have album for all PONTY fanatics and a fitting introduction for others.I hesitate between 3 and 4 stars and finnaly give 3,5 stars