Life Enigma: Album review and songs from Answers.com

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Artist: Jean Luc Ponty
Rating:
Release Date: August 21, 2001
Genre: Jazz

Review

After a delay of nearly five years since the release (in 1996) of his final Atlantic CD, Live at Chene Park, Jean-Luc Ponty's debut for his JLP label proves to be a finely hewed masterpiece from the violinist's studio workshop. He plays many of the instruments himself (keyboards, electronic drums and percussion, and synclavier) through overdubbing on most of the tracks, although it's readily apparent that these new compositions will work in performance with the talented supporting cast of his touring band. Ponty goes it alone on the richly textured "Two Thousand-One Years Ago," and the mournful "Lonely Among All." But "Pizzy Cat" (a playful shorthand reference to pizzicato), featuring Ponty unaccompanied, without overdubs, strumming and plucking his five-string Midi electric violin with synclavier, proves to be the most compelling of the solo performances. The band members join him in various combinations on the remaining tracks, with the full group heard only on "Firmament," which is seasoned with a catchy blend of Oriental and African flavorings. This is easily one of Jean-Luc Ponty's most compelling releases. ~ Ken Dryden, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Two Thousand-One Years Ago	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(4:20)
Signals from Planet Earth	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(6:03)
The Infinite Human Caravan	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(6:37)
Lonely Among All	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(4:25)
Firmament	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(7:22)
Pizzy Cat	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(3:16)
Life Enigma	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(5:56)
Even the Sun Will Die	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(5:37)
Love at Last Sight	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(5:15)
And Life Goes On	Jean-Luc Ponty	Jean-Luc Ponty	(6:01)

Credits

Ioannis (Design), Karim Sai (Mixing), Greg Calbi (Mastering), Guy Nsangué Akwa (Bass (Electric)), William Lecomte (Piano), Adam Rogers (Photography), Thierry Arpino (Drums), Alan Chappell (Art Direction), Jean-Luc Ponty (Producer), Ioannis (Art Direction), Ioannis (Digital Art), Jean-Luc Ponty (Effects), Jean-Luc Ponty (Electronic Percussion), Alvaro Yanez (Cover Photo), Jean-Luc Ponty (Engineer), Guy Nsangué Akwa (Soloist), Karim Sai (Engineer), Jean-Luc Ponty (Keyboards), Jean-Luc Ponty (Wood Block), Alan Chappell (Design), Thierry Arpino (Shaker), William Lecomte (Soloist), Guy N'Sangue (Bass (Electric)), Jean-Luc Ponty (Violin), Jean-Luc Ponty (Synclavier), Moustapha Cisse (Percussion), Jean-Luc Ponty (Electronic Drums), Ioannis (Digital Artwork)

Critical reception

Todd Jenkins stated in his All About Jazz review: "...Ponty shows he’s up to the task of carrying the spirit of fusion into the new millennium instead of just mining the same old spent lodes. Though it was a while in coming, Life Enigma was worth every minute of the wait."^[1] Glenn Astarita states "...if you're expecting some of the innovative pyrotechnics and high-octane jazz-fusion witnessed on some of his previous sessions you might be disappointed."^[2] while Ken Dryden in Allmusic states "This is easily one of Jean-Luc Ponty's most compelling releases."^[3]

Track listing

All songs by Jean-Luc Ponty.

"Two Thousand-One Years Ago" – 4:20

"Signals from Planet Earth" – 6:03

"The Infinite Human Caravan" – 6:37

"Lonely Among All" – 4:25

"Firmament" – 7:22

"Pizzy Cat" – 3:16

"Life Enigma" – 5:56

"Even the Sun Will Die" – 5:37

"Love at Last Sight" – 5:15

"And Life Goes On" – 6:01

Personnel

Jean-Luc Ponty – violin, keyboards, Synclavier, electronic percussion, electronic drums, effects

William Lecomte – piano

Guy N'Sangue – bass

Thierry Arpino – drums, shaker

Moustapha Cisse – percussion

Production notes:

Jean-Luc Ponty – producer, engineer

Karim Sai – mixing, engineer

Greg Calbi – mastering

Alan Chappell – art direction, design

Adam Rogers – photography

Alvaro Yanez – cover photo

Life Enigma