NO ABSOLUTE TIME

The nineteen eighties were not kind to jazz , or most types of music, for that matter. Virtually all of the fusion released on the major labels were that radio friendly, AOR, "Quiet Storm" type of fusion. This trend carried through into the nineties as well. And it shows on this Jean-Luc Ponty release.

This album starts out promisingly, with the title track, No Absolute Time. The name of the track is literal, as the instruments play in numerous time signatures, layered over one another. Not just simple 4 over 5 over 6, but even the dreaded 13/8.

The rest of the album, despite being well played and produced, is non-descript, light fusion, played over African rhythms. It's pleasant and competant, but nothing spectacular.