A switch back to
Atlantic
finds
Jean-Luc Ponty
continuing to dabble in West African waters while re-establishing his earlier solid base in repeating sequenced patterns. The electronics are back, for
Ponty
splits his time between the electric violin and various synthesizers and sequencers while
Abdou M'Boup
and
Sydney Thiam
add African percussion, which often takes a back seat to the electronics as the rhythmic basis for the music. This time, though, the material
has composed isn't as compelling as it had been in the past; at times,
sounds like he is very competently treading water (though
"Blue Mambo"
has a compelling groove). Yet despite all of the changes
has put himself through, his music still has a Continental elegance that cannot be mistaken for that of anyone else. ~ Richard S. Ginell