Enigmatic Ocean

Artist: Jean-Luc Ponty
Label: Atlantic / Wea
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD
Number Of Discs: 1

UPC: 075678151224
EAN: 0075678151224
ASIN: B000008C0Y

Release Date: 1990-01-31

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Listmania:

Trippy Jazz Round Midnight
Body and Soul
What's Going on in the modern jazz world
The Harder They Come
New and old Chill Jazz and Pop
16th installment of fav. musical artist
Some quality jazz and fusion discs
Put Your Feet Up
oOHH Yeah: Jazzy Pop sounds
Chill Jazz and Pop Sounds

Tracks:

Overture
The Trans-Love Express
Mirage
Enigmatic Ocean - Part I
Enigmatic Ocean - Part II
Enigmatic Ocean - Part III
Enigmatic Ocean - Part IV
Nostalgic Lady
The Struggle Of The Turtle To The Sea - Part I
The Struggle Of The Turtle To The Sea - Partii
The Struggle Of The Turtle To The Sea - Part III

Similar Items:

Cosmic Messenger
Imaginary Voyage
Mystical Adventures
A Taste for Passion
Civilized Evil

Customer Reviews:

Listeners say "YES"!.......2007-03-15

The reviews here show that people are passionate about this recording. Most feel this is not only JLP's finest but also one of fusion's best. I agree. What really sets this apart and gives it such lasting power are the musicians. Yes, the compostins are great but this would not have been the classic it is if JLP had gathered other players. After buying this you should check out the follow-up works by these briliiant artists...

Drummer Steve Smith's Vital Information
Guitarist Allan Holdsworth (anything - he is truly a living legend)
Allan Zavod - hard to find but worth it, the band New York Mary
Daryl Stuermer's work with early Phil Collins, Daryl's the weakest on this date but he's still great.
Ralphe Armstrong with Mahavishnu Orch.

This recording introduced me to Holdsworth. I thought he was playing wrong but I could not stop listening to his solos. Then I "got it" and wrong became oh so right! Thank you JLP for this revelation!

Jean- Luc's best of the best.......2007-01-25

I'm a huge fan of Ponty. Have quite a few of his recordings. This is the best of the lot (although Cosmic Messenger ranks a close second). Everybody was in their right place during the making of this disk. With bassman Ralphe Armstrong at his side,this man and his band have it turned up all the way with their ability to play music beyond those of most mortal men.

Another showcase of technical excellence.......2007-01-23

Enigmatic Ocean (1977) is another great Jean Luc Ponty album that once again features the blistering technical approach demonstrated on Imaginary Voyage (1976). As a fan of progressive rock and jazz rock, I really appreciate the mixture of progressive and jazz rock elements and especially the virtuoso performances, which are stacked floor to rafters on this album.

Joining Jean Luc Ponty (electric violin; five-string electric violin; violectra; bells; and grand piano on Nostalgic Lady) are world class guitarist extraordinaire Alan Holdsworth; former Mahavishnu Orchestra bassist Ralphe Armstrong; Allan Zavod (Hammond organ; synthesizers; electric piano; clavinet; and grand piano); Steve Smith (drums); and session player Darryl Steurmer (guitar). As I have frothed about already, these guys are out of this world and the ensemble and individual virtuosity is breath-taking. Speaking of which, master guitarist Alan Holdsworth shines throughout and it is an absolute thrill to hear his blindingly fast and distinctive legato phrasing, whether with U.K. Soft Machine, or Gong. I should note that Darryl's playing sounds a bit forced - especially in contrast with Alan's free-flowing and virtuosic flourishes (Alan makes it sound easy). Where they are featured, the solos are presented in typical jazz-rock fashion, with lead instruments (violin/synths/guitars) each getting a few bars to stretch out (on the closing section of The Struggle of the Turtle to the Sea, both bassist Ralphe and "blazing" drummer Steve join the soloing). Enigmatic Ocean however, is a very interesting jazz rock album in that solos and complete arrangements are nicely balanced.

Although purely instrumental, the music is very well arranged and there are some nice dynamic contrasts with simply fantastic (and very organic sounding) synth textures. The highlight for me however is the four - part Enigmatic Ocean suite, which bears more than a passing semblance to prog rock, although the chord structures are distinctly "jazzy" at times (just to remind the listener that this is a jazz rock album). There is a teeny tiny bit of funk too, and Ralphe simply grooves on these sections (especially on his solo) - he is a solid bassist and serves not only as excellent counterpoint, but as an anchor too.

This really is a fantastic album of progressive jazz rock and is very highly recommended along with Imaginary Voyage. Other albums that feature a similar mixture of progressive rock and jazz rock (and might also be enjoyable) include two by the German group Passport (Looking Thru, 1974; and Cross-Collateral, 1975).

Classic Jean-Luc.......2006-11-09

I also own Imaginary Voyage and love this type of music. If you like this type of music, you should love Jean-Luc Ponty. His style is unique and ingenius. This is a must for any decent collection.

Probably his best........2006-11-06

The Holdsworth solos on this CD are out of this world. This CD is probably the most complete work by JLP. Worth the price. Great band. Good songs. Excellent concept. There's not too much synth-work on here so don't worry, it does not sound dated.

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