Jean-Luc Ponty - Live At Donte's (1996)

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In October 1969 violinist Jean-Luc Ponty recorded a notable live set with keyboardist George Duke, bassist John Heard and drummer Dick Berk that gained him a lot of exposure in the U.S. He had actually played at Donte's in Los Angeles with Duke (on acoustic piano), Heard and drummer Al Cecchi the previous March. Four of the songs came out on a 1981 LP. This CD reissues that program and then doubles it with four more songs from the same engagement. This is a release that is particularly recommended to listeners who are not interested in Ponty's many fusion projects for his playing here is relatively straightahead and sounds influenced by the work of the mid-1960's Miles Davis Quintet, and not just because he performs Ron Carter's "Eighty-One." Also of great interest are the solos of Duke, who would eventually become a funk keyboardist and then a pop producer. In this context he sounds like a mixture of McCoy Tyner and Herbie Hancock. --Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

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Tracklisting:
1. Hypomode del Sol (12:49)
2. People (7:56)
3. California (9:45)
4. Eighty-One (12:23)
5. Foosh (7:57)
6. Sara's Theme (3:44)
7. Pamukkale (9:28)
8. Cantaloupe Island (8:11)

Total Time: 72:13

Line-Up:
- Al Cecchi / Drums
- John Heard / Bass
- George Duke / Piano
- Jean-Luc Ponty / Electric Violin, Violin (Electric), Violin, Main Performer