Anyway the previous reviews will tell you very well how amazing the rest of this album is. This is fusion at it's best.


Another showcase of technical excellence   January 23, 2007
Jeffrey J.Park (Massachusetts, USA)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Enigmatic Ocean (1977) is another great Jean Luc Ponty album that once again features the blistering technical approach demonstrated on Imaginary Voyage (1976). As a fan of progressive rock and jazz rock, I really appreciate the mixture of progressive and jazz rock elements and especially the virtuoso performances, which are stacked floor to rafters on this album.

Joining Jean Luc Ponty (electric violin; five-string electric violin; violectra; bells; and grand piano on Nostalgic Lady) are world class guitarist extraordinaire Alan Holdsworth; former Mahavishnu Orchestra bassist Ralphe Armstrong; Allan Zavod (Hammond organ; synthesizers; electric piano; clavinet; and grand piano); Steve Smith (drums); and session player Darryl Steurmer (guitar). As I have frothed about already, these guys are out of this world and the ensemble and individual virtuosity is breath-taking. Speaking of which, master guitarist Alan Holdsworth shines throughout and it is an absolute thrill to hear his blindingly fast and distinctive legato phrasing, whether with U.K. Soft Machine, or Gong. I should note that Darryl's playing sounds a bit forced - especially in contrast with Alan's free-flowing and virtuosic flourishes (Alan makes it sound easy). Where they are featured, the solos are presented in typical jazz-rock fashion, with lead instruments (violin/synths/guitars) each getting a few bars to stretch out (on the closing section of The Struggle of the Turtle to the Sea, both bassist Ralphe and "blazing" drummer Steve join the soloing). Enigmatic Ocean however, is a very interesting jazz rock album in that solos and complete arrangements are nicely balanced.

Although purely instrumental, the music is very well arranged and there are some nice dynamic contrasts with simply fantastic (and very organic sounding) synth textures. The highlight for me however is the four - part Enigmatic Ocean suite, which bears more than a passing semblance to prog rock, although the chord structures are distinctly "jazzy" at times (just to remind the listener that this is a jazz rock album). There is a teeny tiny bit of funk too, and Ralphe simply grooves on these sections (especially on his solo) - he is a solid bassist and serves not only as excellent counterpoint, but as an anchor too.

This really is a fantastic album of progressive jazz rock and is very highly recommended along with Imaginary Voyage. Other albums that feature a similar mixture of progressive rock and jazz rock (and might also be enjoyable) include two by the German group Passport (Looking Thru, 1974; and Cross-Collateral, 1975).