In Concert

The LP *In Concert*, released on MPS, documents the live performance Jean‑Luc Ponty played with his band in Warsaw in 1999, which was originally issued as a concert film and live CD. The record brings together well‑known pieces such as “Rhythms of Hope,” “No Absolute Time,” “Mouna Bowa,” and “Enigmatic Ocean (Pt. 2),” giving the extended improvisations and the interplay between soloist and ensemble plenty of space on vinyl.Musically, the recording represents Ponty’s characteristic jazz fusion approach: classical training meets electronic sound design and rock‑leaning rhythms. Electric violin interacts with keyboards and a tight rhythm section, resulting in dense textures, striking themes, and extended solo sections that define the character of the pieces. The use of synthesizers and electronic effects complements the acoustic virtuosity.Behind the program is Ponty’s longstanding ambition to establish the violin as a lead instrument in modern jazz; his path from classical education to collaborations with Frank Zappa, Mahavishnu Orchestra, and others also shapes this live presentation. The lineup on the recording is Jean‑Luc Ponty (violin, synthesizer, and effects), William Lecomte (keyboards), Guy Nsangué Akwa (bass), Thierry Arpino (drums), and Moustapha Cissé (percussion); the production was handled by Jean‑Luc Ponty. The MPS release joins the label’s series of reissued Ponty editions.