The Jean-Luc Ponty Experience with the George Duke Trio

by Scott YanowThis set is considered a classic, one of violinist Jean-Luc Ponty's finest recordings. 1969 was the turning point in his career, a year when he was featured on four American records and quickly became an influential pollwinner. It was also the first year that Ponty began to experiment with finding his own voice in fusion. Keyboardist George Duke, who leads the accompanying trio (which also includes electric bassist John Heard and drummer Dick Berk), was an important force in the violinist's life, introducing him to Frank Zappa, with whom he would later tour. Duke works quite well with Ponty on this set, one of the keyboardist's best jazz dates. Ponty and his quartet perform a couple of originals, two obscurities and Herbie Hancock's catchy "Cantaloupe Island." Oddly enough, this important set has not yet been reissued on CD.