[TR24][OF] Jean-Luc Ponty Experience - Open Strings (Remastered) - 1972/2015 (Fusion, Jazz-Rock)

After creating a major stir in the U.S. in 1969, violinist Jean-Luc Ponty returned to his native France for a couple years. One of his few recordings from the period is this stimulating date which was last made available in the U.S. as a Pausa LP. Ponty teams up with keyboardist Joachim Kuhn, guitarist Philip Catherine, bassist Peter Warren and drummer Oliver Johnson for his three-part, side-long "Flipping," the lengthy "Open Strings" and Kuhn's "Sad Ballad." The electric violinist's dynamic playing is heard in peak form throughout the colorful album, an early and creative fusion date.

Gifted with astounding technique, Frenchman Jean-Luc Ponty single-handedly brought the violin into the modern jazz era. Critic Joachim Berendt wrote, “Since Ponty, the jazz violin has been a different instrument.” Open Strings presents Ponty at his pre-fusion best. Recorded in 1971 after working together for over a year together, this quintet of world-renowned musicians play on the creative edge. Pianist Joachim Kühn is something of a German legend, and American bassist Peter Warren has played with just about everyone from Dionne Warwick to Don Cherry. Flipping Parts I, II and III are a triptych of connected pieces with ever-changing tempos, moods and modes, as the musicians exchange places and combinations. The interplay ranges from melodic to aleatory explorations. Open Strings has the musicians playing off each other – there’s a lot of risk-taking here, and Kühn’s technical mastery, sense of humor, and sheer inventiveness is mind-boggling. Sad Ballad builds in intensity before subsiding into a melancholy melody juxtaposing chaos and simplicity. Fascinating and exciting music on the edge.