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Jean-Luc Ponty: Aurora

 A l b u m   D e t a i l s


Label: Atlantic Records
Released: 1976.02.26
Time:
 38:17
Category: Jazz Fusion
Producer(s): Jean-Luc Ponty
Rating:
Media type: CD
Web address: www.ponty.com
Appears with: Daryl Stuermer
Purchase date: 2018
Price in €: 1,00





 S o n g s ,   T r a c k s


[1] Is Once Enough? (J-L.Ponty) - 4:58
[2] Renaissance (J-L.Ponty) - 5:48
[3] Aurora, Pt. 1 (J-L.Ponty) - 2:46
[4] Aurora, Pt. 2 (J-L.Ponty) - 6:15
[5] Passenger of the Dark (J-L.Ponty) - 4:17
[6] Lost Forest (J-L.Ponty) - 5:27
[7] Between You and Me (J-L.Ponty) - 5:58
[8] Waking Dream (J-L.Ponty) - 2:25

 A r t i s t s ,   P e r s o n n e l


Jean-Luc Ponty - Violin, Autoharp, Keyboards, Violectra, Arrangements, Producer
Daryl Stuermer - Electric & Acoustic Guitars
Patrice Rushen - Synthesizer, Piano, Keyboards
Tom Fowler - Electric Bass
Norman Fearrington - Drums, Percussion

Larry Hirsch - Engineer, Mixing
George Putko - Engineer, Studio Assistant
Zal Schreiber - Mastering
Jim Marshall - Photography
Jean-Paul Oren - Photography
Phil A. Ceccola - Cover Photo

 C o m m e n t s ,   N o t e s


1976 LP Atlantic - SD 18163-1
1990 MC Atlantic - SD 18163-3
1992 CD Atlantic - SD 18163-2
2006 CD Wounded Bird Records ‎- WOU 8163

Recorded at Cherokee Studios, Los Angeles, California, December 1975. Mixed at Paramount Studios, Los Angeles. Mastered at Artisan Studios, Los Angeles.



Aurora is full of state-of-the-art (for 1975) high-powered fusion that differs surprisingly little from the music that Jean-Luc Ponty has played throughout the '80s and '90s. The violinist's quintet (which includes guitarist Darryl Stuermer, keyboardist Patrice Rushen, bassist Tom Fowler, and drummer Norman Fearrington) displays impeccable musicianship and lots of energy. The group was often so tight that the violin, keyboards, guitar, and (to a lesser extent) the electric bass had similar tones, sometimes making it difficult to tell who was soloing at a particular moment. Listeners open to the sound of electronics and funky grooves should be very impressed by the spirited music which combines the adventure of jazz with the sound of rock.

Rating 4 out of 5

Scott Yanow - All Music Guide



Aurora sets into motion Ponty’s revolving-door hiring policy with a new set of players featuring guitarist Daryl Stuermer (who was “discovered” by George Duke), bassist Tom Fowler (ex-Zappa) and drummer Norman Fearrington. As one of two albums to feature the brilliant Patrice Rushen on keyboards, this is prime-time Ponty. The violinist wastes little time showing off his new band, roaring out of the gates with the muscular fusion workout, “Is Once Enough?” Ponty then cleverly changes the pace for the warm, Pat Metheny-styled “Renaissance,” featuring Stuermer on acoustic guitar. This leads up to the stunning, two-part “Aurora” and the intoxicating “Passenger of the Dark.” Combining intricate arrangements with instantly gratifying melodies, “Aurora Part I” and “Passenger of the Dark” remain favorites of mine over a long career. “Lost Forest” unfolds beautifully like a Coltrane song, “Between You And Me” mixes midtempo funk with fusion, and Ponty closes the album with the intimate “Waking Dream.” All of Ponty’s Atlantic recordings are more or less variations on the same Mahavishnu-inspired theme, with some variations being better than others. Aurora stands as a shining example of what Ponty has to offer the listener: an impressive balance of musicianship and melody presented in several unique moods. Stuermer and Fowler impress from the first note to the last, while Rushen seems to fade into the background this time and Fearrington has the unenviable task of replacing the irreplaceable Ndugu. Rushen’s reduced imprint on the album is something of a disappointment; maybe it’s the arrangements, maybe it’s the mix, but I couldn’t take my ears off of her on Upon The Wings of Music and I sometimes forget she’s there on Aurora. This record and Imaginary Voyage are my favorites from the Atlantic years, and stand as twin towers in Ponty’s fusion-fueled dreamscape from the Seventies.

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