During the late 60s and early 70s, Ponty took jazz to new levels by electrifying a violin and playing it in quite an extraordinary manner. And with a full electric backing band, it was quite an innovative sound. Crazy too.

The 1968 album Electric Connection kicks off with the uptempo ‘Summit Soul’, with elements of fusion, while ‘Hyomode Del Sol’ is more the Sunday lunchtime Jazz variety. A couple of covers (including Simon & Garfunkel) make for a range of sounds, even if most are hard to listen to.

The following year’s King Kong was arranged by Frank Zappa, and features some equally bizarre sounds and songs.

If you’re a jazz fan and/or bordering on insanity then you’ll love these, but their relevance here is questionable.

*

Review by Joe Geesin

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly