The Acatama Experience

The French violinist Jon-Luc Ponty broke barriers as a sideman with Frank Zappa and the Mahavishnu Orchestra and with his own critically acclaimed recordings for over four decades. This is his first studio recording in some time, and it was inspired by a visit to Chile's Acatama desert. Ponty's laser-like violin -- whether acoustic or electric -- is at home on all of the CD's 14 smooth-jazz, Latin, and world music tracks. Ponty stirs the stylistic pot with drums, keyboard, and percussion, along with two guitar gods: his homeboy Philipe Catherine and the British master Alan Holdsworth. Bud Powell's bebop classic "Parisian Thoroughfare" is upgraded with a snappy hip-hop arrangement, while "Back in the 60s" and "Still in Love" swing with Spanish Harlem syncopations. "Desert Crossing" is Ponty's stunning solo statement, just to let you know that he's not all about fusion fun and games. --Eugene Holley, Jr.