Customer Reviews

Tchokola

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Although in the past Ponty was guilty of occasional bombast, here he reins in those tendencies and delivers a brilliant album of West African flavored jazz, complemented by a highly talented group of performers. The most famous of these is Brice Wassy who has played with many African, American, and European musicians.

The compositions are mostly originals, with one written by Salif Keita. The title track was also recorded by the South African band Anampondo, but the treatment here is decidedly more interesting. Vocals play a large part on the album--and they are excellent--but they absolutely do not overshadow the impressive musicianship on display. Ponty's violin and keyboards blend with the Africans' tasty percussion, guitar, and bass.

This is a great album to listen to, dance to, pick yourself up by, revel in, and most of all, enjoy. The tunes are often catchy, the arrangements are well thought out, and the overall feeling is exuberant.

Enjoy!

this album should be played loud so as for the unbelievable african rythms and percussion to inhabit your body and take over. then rest your ears a while. I have listened to this cd at least a hundred times and on a great sound system you are transported to different areas of west africa where traditional themes are swept up and carried away by the impeccably crisp bass and drums that jean luc is known for. Jean luc takes an unobtrusive approach to showcasing the talent he has orchestrated so that his amazing violin sounds like a sheer veil over the saharan sands, enhancing but never blocking, enticing the rythm and the beat to their highest potential. for world jazz lovers that want the authentic drums and bass sounds of africa orchestrated to the highest recording standard this is it. you have arrived at heavens door. i blew a set of 2000 dollar speakers consumed with trying to get every vibration out of this cd.(luckily the speakers were still on warrantee) this albumn truly delivers the goods. if i may be so brash as to admit that i used to take my clothes off and do a spontaneous aerobic workout to this cd, inventing african dances to the convulsive rythms of this albumn. jean luc you done good real good. this is a masterpiece.

Another very nice CD form Jean Luc Ponty,
with African influence. Love the sound, just wish
there was more.

I got this on cassette when it first came out and loved it. This became one of my mandatory travel/beach tapes. I defy anyone listening to this to sit still. I have other Ponty music, but this is by far my favorite.

This is one of the most versitile collections of music I've heard for a long time. It's wonderful in the car when you are traveling, also great background music for a get-to-gether as you find people tapping their feet, yet it is not intrusive just gets in your blood. I also put it on first thing in the morining as well as the last thing at night. It fits, no matter what you are doing. Super percussion and that violin could soothe a savage beast!

A french classical musician takes on West and central African rhythym and not only undersatands but is comfortable with and works in sync with the beats. That's impressive.
Imagine being able to hear the sounds on the ground while flying across West and Central Africa on a day when everybody is playing music. Thats the feeling you get listening to this CD.
Tchokola fuses two very distinct backgrounds (classical, and African) with jazz and does it with class.
Bravo!

When I had first heard that Jean-Luc was going to put out a CD with West African influences I was very intrigued. I have been a fan for so long and was so happy when I got the CD and put it on for the first time, it really blew me away. Some of the stand outs on the CD are Mouna Bowa, the title track Tchokola and my favorite of all Cono, which will take you on a cosmic musical journey. Go out and get this CD, you will not be dissapointed.

This is a great CD. If you are into African ryhthms or calypso, this is the CD for you. Jean Luc Ponty has done it again. He bring light to music that some may not otherwise listen to and at the same time, he does not overpower the cultural notes. He harmonizes with the beat as well as the singers. I love this CD!!

This is an incredibly joyous album with rhythms that bring sunshine to the heart and warmth to the soul.

Jean-Luc Ponty recorded the sessions in Paris, France, with a bevy of West African artists and co-produced the 10 tracks - clocking in at 53:49 - with drummer/percussionist Brice Wassy. The album peaked at #5 on the 1991 Billboard Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.

The groove on the finest track - Bamako - is particularly irresistible, but so subtle. The opening number - Mam'mai - is a bouncing call to the listener that something special is brewing in the mix. There are several numbers that feature vocalists, with the best being Yeke Yeke. Bottle Bop closes the album on a wonderful romp into clubland.

Through the power of music, Ponty proves again that the universal language is found on a canvas that glows majestically from beautiful brush strokes.