Jean-Luc Ponty - No Absolute Time (2023) [Hi-Res]

In 1993, Ponty found the West African rhythms he had used in his project Tchokola so rich, that he decided to use some of them again for No Absolute Time, “[…] but this time meld in my more familiar musical style. I also wrote all the material myself.“ For No Absolute Time, JLP chose to use a mixed band—the same bass player, Guy Nsangué and guitarist Martin Atangana, both from Cameroon, the same percussionist Abdou Mboup from Senegal plus Sydney Thiam from France, and the Moroccan drummer Moktar Samba. Ponty prepared all the background keyboards tracks and went to Paris to record the rhythm section. The rest of the album was recorded in Los Angeles with American keyboardist Wally Minko, and guitarist Kevin Eubanks as a guest on one track.

The electronic experimentation of Open Mind is back, but the music of West Africa is joyously ever present. The album exudes groove and shows Ponty deftly blending the electronic music he helped popularize with a variety of West African rhythms. Which he then improvises over in a clearly recognizable Jean-Luc Ponty style. The compositions are typically graceful, almost cosmopolitan.

Jean-Luc Ponty, violin, keyboards, electric violin and viola, synthesizer
Martin Atangana, guitar
Kevin Eubanks, guitar (on "Blue Mambo")
Guy N'Sangue, bass, sound effects
Moustapha Cisse, percussion
Kémo Kouyaté, harp, background vocals, Balafon, Kora
Abdou M'Boup, percussion, drums, sound effects, tambourine, bells, shaker, cowbell, bougarabou drums
Mokhtar Samba, percussion, drums, timbales, cowbell, doundoumba, bougarabou drums
Sydney Thiam, percussion, sound effects, bells, shaker, doundoumba
Wally Minko, piano, keyboards

Digitally remastered