JEAN-LUC PONTY - Imaginary Voyage (1976) WV (image+.cue), lossless)

As of 1976, Jean-Luc Ponty's variations on the Mahavishnu Orchestra theme were still fresh and imaginative, cast in a distinctively different, more lyrical, more controlled framework. For Imaginary Voyage, Ponty's instrumental lineup is identical to that of Mahavishnu -- electric violin, guitar, keyboards, bass, drums -- but he turns the emphasis on its head, with all commands coming directly from the violin (his) and less competitive crossplay emanating from his colleagues. For starters, "New Country" is a lively jazz-rock hoedown, one of those periodic C&W side trips that some fusioneers attempt for a lark, and "The Gardens of Babylon" is a wonderfully memorable tune, the beginnings of which grow out of "New Country." The last half of the LP is taken up by the title composition, a strong four-part suite that hangs together with barely a snag in interest over its 20-minute span. by Richard S. Ginell

Tracklist:

1. New Country (3:07)

2. The Gardens Of Babylon (5:06)

3. Wandering On The Milky Way (Violin Solo) (1:50)

4. Once Upon A Dream (4:08)

5. Tarantula (4:04)

6. Imaginary Voyage

Part I (2:22)

Part II (4:05)

Part III (5:28)

Part IV (8:00)

Total Time 38:10

Line-up / Musicians

- Jean-Luc Ponty / Electric and acoustic violins, organ and background synthesizers

- Marc Craney / Percussion

- Tom Fowler / Electric bass

- Daryl Steurmer / Electric and acoustic guitars

- Allan Zavod / Electric keyboards and acoustic piano