Record Reviews

ANDERSON PONTY BAND ~ BETTER LATE THAN NEVER EAR MUSIC 4029759106517 (Barcode: 4029759106517) ~ UK ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2014 - 2015 Released: 2015 This is the only album by the rather strange hybrid band featuring Progressive Rock vocalist Jon AndersonFind albums by this artist (of YesFind albums by this artist fame) and French violin virtuoso and Fusion superstar Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist. The album was basically recorded live during the band’s debut concert in the US, with the guitar parts overdubbed later in the studio. Additional musicians include guitarist Jamie GlaserFind albums by this artist, keyboardist Wally MinkoFind albums by this artist, bassist Baron BrowneFind albums by this artist and drummer Rayford GriffinFind albums by this artist. The album presents fourteen tracks, which include original Yes songs in new arrangements, as wells as music composed by Ponty with new lyrics added by Anderson. The band toured for a couple of years in North America and was favorably received at the time, but in retrospect the music did not age well as far as my ears are concerned. Although Anderson is certainly a great vocalist and Ponty a superb violinist, the music was on the extreme easy side of both Prog and Fusion and is today quite forgettable. Overall, although headed by two music veterans of considerable talent, the resulting music is sort of “not here and not there”, as the saying goes, and leaves few memorable moments. Of course these are excellent musicians and the album has its moments, and both Anderson and Ponty die-hard fans would definitely keep this album in their collections.

Updated: 20/04/2024Posted: 20/04/2024

CD 1 Recommend To A Friend

JEAN-LUC PONTY ~ THE GIFT OF TIME / STORYTELLING / TCHOKOLA BGO 1508 (Barcode: 5017261215086) ~ FRANCE ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 1987 - 1991 Released: 2024 This is a 2CD reissue / remaster of three albums by the great French Jazz / Fusion violinist / composer / bandleader Jean-Luc PontyFind albums by this artist. The albums were newly remastered for this release and are accompanied by an in-depth background information about the process of recording these albums. “The Gift Of TimeFind albums with this title” from 1987 was the first album released on ColumbiaFind albums on this label Records, after a long stint with AtlanticFind albums on this label Records. It was recorded in a basic trio setting with bassist Baron BrowneFind albums by this artist and drummer Rayford GriffinFind albums by this artist. Guitarist Pat ThomiFind albums by this artist plays on several tracks. The album presents eight tracks, all original compositions by Ponty. Ponty plays violin, Synclavier and electronic devices. The music is a mixture of Fusion and Ambient. “StorytellingFind albums with this title” from 1989 was the second album on Columbia. It was recorded in a quintet setting with Browne, Griffin, guitarist Jamie GlaserFind albums by this artist and keyboardist Wally MinkoFind albums by this artist. A few guest musicians appear on selected tracks. The album presents nine tracks, eight of which are original compositions by Ponty and one is his interpretation of a Classical piece. The music follows a similar pattern to that found on the preceding album, mixing Fusion and more contemporary Ambient an even Techno influences. “TchokolaFind albums with this title” from 1991 was the third and last album on Columbia. It was recorded with several West African musicians and offers a Jazz-World Fusion project, which explores the rich rhythmic background of that region. The album presents ten tracks, all composed by Ponty or co-composed by him and the musicians playing on the album. The music is very different from everything Ponty created earlier on, showing his artistic diversity and constant passion to discover new musical ventures. Overall, this is a great opportunity to discover these three album, which escaped many of Ponty’s fans, who loved his earlier Jazz and Fusion oriented albums, but stopped following his recordings by the time these albums were released. Most warmly recommended!

Updated: 04/04/2024Posted: 04/04/2024

CD 2 Slipcase Remastered Recommend To A Friend

STEVE SMITH / VITAL INFORMATION ~ LIVE! ONE GREAT NIGHT Q-RIOUS 124 (Barcode: 4260027621244) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2007 Released: 2012 This is a live recording the American Jazz / Fusion drummer Steve SmithFind albums by this artist and his quartet Vital InformationFind albums by this artist, which includes veteran keyboardist Tom CosterFind albums by this artist, bassist Baron BrowneFind albums by this artist and the new guitar player Vinny ValentinoFind albums by this artist. The album presents nine original compositions, all by the group members, often co-composed by more than one person, which originate from the "Come On InFind albums with this title" and "VitalizationFind albums with this title" albums. The music was recorded in 2007 during a tour promoting the "Vitalization" album. The set also includes a DVD recording of the music present on the audio album, with one additional track. Vital Information has been active since the early 1980s and is one of the steadiest and most consistent American Fusion bands and Steve Smith is one of the most respected and revered American drummers with an impressive resume and practically limitless experience. The album presents an interesting twist on two of the tracks, which is the result of Smith´s studies of Indian rhythms, which he utilizes by using konnakol (Indian vocal, i.e. sung, percussion). The rest of the material is completely straight forward Fusion stuff, perfectly executed by all the musicians, with a lot of Funky beats and incredible feel. The music is quite nice, but does not offer anything that the genre did not present earlier on. Basically the album epitomizes Fusion (and particularly American Fusion) as a genre that got out of wind decodes ago and has been threading in one place since. In spite the fact that there are incredibly talented musicians involved, the music offers more of the same time after time. Perhaps Fusion is still a viable environment for live music, but on record it lost its impact long time ago. Fusion fans will find this definitely interesting and worth listening to; as for the rest of the music loving community, it is always great to play this music while driving an open car in hot climates.

CD+DVD 2 Mini-Sleeve Recommend To A Friend

STEVE SMITH / VITAL INFORMATION ~ VITALIZATION HUDSON 101 (Barcode: 884088156442) ~ USA ~ Jazz-Rock Fusion Recorded: 2006 Released: 2007 This is the twelfth album by the American Jazz / Fusion drummer Steve SmithFind albums by this artist and his quartet Vital InformationFind albums by this artist, which includes veteran keyboardist Tom CosterFind albums by this artist, bassist Baron BrowneFind albums by this artist and the new guitar player Vinny ValentinoFind albums by this artist. Several guest musicians also take part in the recording, including the excellent saxophonist Bill EvansFind albums by this artist. The album presents twelve original compositions, all by the group members, often co-composed by more than one person. Vital Information has been active since the early 1980s and is one of the steadiest and most consistent American Fusion bands and Steve Smith is one of the most respected and revered American drummers with an impressive resume and practically limitless experience. The album presents an interesting twist on two of the tracks, which is the result of Smith´s studies of Indian rhythms, which he utilizes by using konnakol (Indian vocal, i.e. sung, percussion). The rest of the material is completely straight forward Fusion stuff, perfectly executed by all the musicians, with a lot of Funky beats and incredible feel. The music is quite nice, but does not offer anything that the genre did not present earlier on. Basically the album epitomizes Fusion (and particularly American Fusion) as a genre that got out of wind decodes ago and has been threading in one place since. In spite the fact that there are incredibly talented musicians involved, the music offers more of the same time after time. Perhaps Fusion is still a viable environment for live music, but on record it lost its impact long time ago. Fusion fans will find this definitely interesting and worth listening to; as for the rest of the music loving community, it is always great to play this music while driving an open car in hot climates.

CD 1 Digipak Recommend To A Friend