Customer Reviews

Mystical Adventures

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'm surprised that this is the first review of one of JLP's finest recordings ever. While JLP's classic '70's works like "Enigmatic Ocean" and "Cosmic Messenger" get most of the attention (and, yes, they are good records), this vintage 1982 record, IMHO, tops them all.

For starters, it is a much better produced effort, with Ponty's violin recorded better than ever, and backed up by a very tight band. They pick up the tricky chord and time changes in the opening Mystical Adventures Suite with no apparent effort at all. The other songs (side 2 of the original LP) includes some pretty decent bass licks by Randy Jackson in "Rhythms of Hope" and energetic violin playing on "Final Truth, Part I" backed forcefully by Billy Cobham disciple Rayford Griffen on drums. To this day I'm still puzzled by the decision to cover the minor Stevie Wonder hit "As", but Ponty does nothing to disgrace the tune.

Looking back, "Mystical Adventures" was sort of an end of an era for Ponty's music; throughout the rest of the eighties he experimented with different instrument lineups with mixed results. He also ended the pattern of stringing together songs into a suite every other album. It was a shame that he changed his style somewhat after "Mystical Adventures" just when he just starting to get the old style down to near perfection.

I discovered JL P in 1984 and bought his then current album and worked my way back in time. I've only owned about seven of Ponty's works and Mystical Adventures is his formost work of these. Catagorizing it is the hard part unless you're already familiar with his work: pre-elecronica, fusion jazz, new age, or all of the above.

One thing that helps set this collection apart is they way it comes together as one work. Each track (with the possible exception of #9 Final Truth Part II) is complimentary and thematic. These songs come together and form an evocative environment that can be engaged or ignored. In the foreground of your consciousness MA (Mystical Adventures) is ripe for study by music majors and thoe who value emotional/spiritual content. If left in the background MA is great during meditation, study, sleep, light housework or reading. It doesn't demand your attention or force an emotion but lingers nearby and subtly accentuates empathy.

MA is a little drowsy for a mainstream audience but is a must have for fans of new-age, fusion and Ponty

If you don't already know, the bassist on this album is Randy Jackson the American Idol judge. since he is an incredible bassist he picked up right where Ralphe Armstrong (Ponty's former bassist) left off and didn't miss a note. Incredible bass work on Rhythm Of Hope and Final Truth. As far as compisitions and musicianship this is one of Ponty's greatest efforts. This is my personal favorite Ponty album also. This album won best Jazz album Grammy in 1983.

This is the final record Jean-Luc Ponty made with suites, and he goes out with a bang, putting 2 on this one. The first suite, Mystical Adventures, sounds like the title. Mystical. I love it. And each part smoothly goes into the next. It's a very mysterious piece, almost like the album cover. I imagine a forest with fog. And then the 2nd is Final Truth, a short but sweet melody. He also covers Stevie Wonder's "As" on this record, and does a good job. Overall, an excellent album.

If you do not give this album 5 stars you are not a true Ponty fan. Shame on you Amazon for not getting the track list correct.
1 - Mystical Adventures Part I
2 - Mystical Adventures Part II
3 - Mystical Adventures Part III
4 - Mystical Adventures Part IV
5 - Mystical Adventures Part V
6 - Rhythms Of Hope
7 - As
8 - Final Truth Part I
9 - Final Truth Part II
10 - Jig

A friend that worked at a local Karma store handed me this (an LP way back in the early 80's) and told me "just buy it". I did and ended up buying everything JLP every recorded...and saw him in concert at least 5 times. Here's my admonition: JUST BUY IT.

This is one of the definitive progressive rock-fusion hybrid albums, and probably the last of its kind. Be warned though: this is definitely leaning more towards progressive rock than jazz, with lengthy multi-part compositions, varying, complex meters, shifting almospheres and electronic instrumentation. This album will appeal more to the fans of Genesis, Yes, ELP, Caravan and Soft Machine than those of traditional jazz. However, there is some variety on the CD to keep things from being one-directional - there is even a Police-soundalike tune and a rather pointless if not unpleasant Stevie Wonder cover. But not to worry, there is plenty of muscular, chops-busting workouts to please the most demanding prog-head or fusion afficionado like myself.

More mellow than previous releases--but still good. The violin does sound more clear as well--this is a review after only one listen. I'm sure after subsequent listens this record will grow on me a lot more; i'd recommend it to any Ponty fan. Especially as it seems to be out of print and I got mine used for 6.92$ !!! That's a steal!

Side One
1. Mystical Adventures Suite
2. Mystical Adventures, Pt. 1
3. Mystical Adventures, Pt. 2
4. Mystical Adventures, Pt. 3
5. Mystical Adventures, Pt. 4
6. Mystical Adventures, Pt. 5
Side Two
7. Rhythms of Hope
8. As
9. Final Truth
10. Final Truth, Pt. 1
11. Final Truth, Pt. 2
12. Jig

I love this CD, typical Jon Luc Ponty. The sysnthesized, techno, acidic, wave of jazz fusion fits his style and is consistant with other CD's of his I own. It is an awesome piece. The man knows how to get the juices pumpin.