Jean-Luc Ponty, Achim Kühn

This entire LP consists of Jean-Luc Ponty’s longest extended work, “Sonata Erotica,” one of the most interesting works from his early days in fusion. Ponty’s solos here seem far more inspired than his efforts in the 1990s. The violinist makes good use of delays, accompanying himself on the intense solo “Pizzicato Con Fucco E Con Echo.” A number of passages were used in Ponty’s earlier “Concerto for Jazz Violin and Orchestra,” found on his record with Kurt Edelhagen (Vantage LP 504). Supporting musicians included Joachim Kuhn on Fender Rhodes, acoustic bassist J.-F. Jenny Clarke, drummer Oliver Johnson and percussionist Nana Vasconcelos. While this disc won’t be considered essential to a lot of jazz fans, Ponty’s followers will find it enjoyable.