JEAN-LUC PONTY QUARTET – Sunday Walk (LP-1967/Re- MPS Rec. – 0068.226)

Label: MPS Records – 0068.226
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album, Reissue / Country: W. Germany / Released: 1968 (?)
Style: Bop, Free Improvisation, Post Bop, Modal
Recorded June 1967, MPS-Tonstudio Villingen, W. Germany.
Artwork By [Graphic Work], Layout – Gigi Berendt
Photography By [Back Cover, Liner Photos] – Werkmeister
Photography By [Cover] – Jean Pierre Leloir
Photography By [Liner Photos] – Armbruster
Recorded By, Producer – Hans-Georg Brunner-Schwer
Technician [Recording Director] – Willi Fruth
Liner Notes – Joachim E. Berendt
Translated By – John Wilde
Matrix / Runout (Matrix Print Label A): 0068.226-A
Matrix / Runout (Matrix Print Label B): 0068.226-B

A1 - Sunday Walk   (Daniel Humair) ....................................................................... 6:28

A2 - Carole's Garden   (Denny Zeitlin) .................................................................... 7:42

A3 - Cat Coach   (Wolfgang Dauner) ...................................................................... 6:00

B1 - You've Changed   (Carey / Fisher) .................................................................. 8:24

B2 - Suite For Claudia   (J.L. Ponty) ....................................................................... 9:50

Personnel:

Jean-Luc Ponty – violin

Wolfgang Dauner – piano

Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen – double bass

Daniel Humair – drums, percussion

Original released on LP in 1967 in Germany (SABA, 15 139 ST) with gatefold cover. Re-issued on LP in 1968 (?) in Germany (MPS, 0068.226) with different cover. Second German Pressing. Black labels with silver-white print. ____ Out Of Stock, never on a CD.

Although there were two earlier dates led by violinist Jean-Luc Ponty (for Palm in 1963 and Philips in 1964), this was the first album to get much circulation. Originally recorded for the German Saba label, and was available in the U.S. on Pausa LP as well. This is one of Ponty's best albums – a more straight-ahead late 60s session for MPS, without the fusion noodling of later years! This is a top notch advanced bop with Wolfgang Dauner on piano, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass, Daniel Humair on drums and of course Jean-Luc Ponty on violin. These masters were among the best jazz players in Europe. Album compares well with stuff being recorded by the best American players of the time. Dauner, in his pre-electric phase, sounds like McCoy Tyner. In addition to "You've Changed" (one of the few standards ever recorded by the violinist), the band performs Denny Zeitlin's "Carole's Garden" and three group compositions, including Ponty's "Suite for Claudia." Already at this time, Jean-Luc Ponty was a highly original and brilliant player.
(Review by Scott Yanow, AllMusic)

Beautiful challenge of the old German MPS records, it is difficult to resist.

If you find it, buy this album!