OPEN MIND

Jean-Luc Ponty plays himself some really modern keyboards here, creating very atmospheric textures, rather urban, often flirting with a jazz-New Age style. To enhance the modern aspect of the music, Ponty plays a VERY "bottom" synth bass, which gives very much color, personality and depth to the music. Ponty is so much involved in the keyboards that it seems his electric violin almost becomes a secondary instrument here: his electric violin is however still very present, but it seems to be less monolithic and to merge more with the rest of the music: sometimes, it participates to the rhythm itself, or it is just simply played with less speed, focusing more on the sound or on the ambience itself. Chick Corea plays some good & nervous keyboards solos! The overall sound is very clean, fresh and modern. The complex keyboards exploration on "Orbital encounters" is absolutely impressive. The echoed atmosphere created with the violin sound on "Intuition" is really breathtaking! Every track is at least very good, so that this record is among his best ones.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Computer Era of Ponty...

Eversince "Individual Choice" was released, Ponty had entered new era of music making and sounds whereby he had injected the roles of computer programming to create rhythm section asnd some electric violin sounds. "Open Mind" in some extent creates another feeling for me personally in terms of style which is quite similar with its predecessor album "Individual Choice". But I still find the beauty of the music through the violin style that Ponty is delivering right here in this album. The more album I know about Ponty, the more I can ebnjoy the music. Oh yes, I am much more inclined towards symphonic prog, however, I do enjoy this kind of jazz rock fusion music for a break.

In addition, this album features Ponty's collaboration with other talented and famous musicians like Chick Corea and George Benson. The opening track "Open Mind" serves as a great collaboration with Chick Corea which is then continued with the third track "Watching Birds". Chick does not deliver pulsating keyboard punches but his style is quite observable here. Under "Solitude" Ponty demonstrates his virtuosity in Grand Piano playing. George Benson contributes guitar solo ini "Modern Times Blues" .

Overall, this is agood album and an enjoyable one for those who appreciate jazz rock fusion. Yes, there is no such this as catchy track like "Mirage" or "Rhythms of Hope" or "Cosmis Messenger" .. but still this is a good one to enjoy.

Peace on earth and mercy mild - GW