Vive La Musique is proud to present the first record in a special series, celebrating legendary French musician Jean-Luc Ponty and his influence on electronic dance music.
Ponty is a prolific composer with over thirty albums to his name, exploring a wide spectrum of jazz, fused with rock, electronic music and later in his career, West African sounds. A virtuoso multi-instrumentalist, famed for being one of the pioneers of the electric violin, Ponty also experimented with synthesis, composing a number of his albums with the Synclavier - one of the first synths to link up to a computer, offering the opportunity to create and combine multiple sounds.
Originally released in 1989 on the Storytelling album, "In the Fast Lane" is a rich and vibrant composition, with Ponty's rhythmical Synclavier keys and uplifting violin melodies dancing over a driving offbeat groove. The track lit up dancefloors in the UK jazz dance movement which started in the late 80s and is one of the all-time classic tunes from the Dingwalls sessions. Championed by influential Detroit radio DJ the Electrifying Mojo, Ponty is also dearly loved in the Motor City and is cited as a key influence by many of the pioneers of the techno movement.
Vive La Musique brings this unique track to the 12" single format for the first time, beautifully remastered by Atjazz and cut loud at 45 rpm. The release also features a brilliant cover version from Opolopo. He faithfully recreates the original synth lines around a deep and jazzy house groove, producing a modern dancefloor masterpiece, which highly impressed Ponty.
The 12" is presented with stunning artwork by Michal Rafaj and linear notes written by Ponty himself, telling the story of how the track was composed and recorded as well as exclusive photographs that have never been published before.
"With such a long career in the world of jazz and prog. rock,
it makes me very happy to discover that younger generations
of musicians from other styles of music and DJs appreciate my
work and are inspired to make their own versions.
it makes me very happy to discover that younger generations
of musicians from other styles of music and DJs appreciate my
work and are inspired to make their own versions.
Opolopo did a great job with my piece “In The Fast Lane”.
The feel of my original version is still there, while he highlights
some sections with a different angle. He also does a very good
keyboard solo and I really like the synth sounds he uses.”
Jean-Luc Ponty
*EU customers please note that all EU orders will be posted from within the EU to avoid any Brexit issues.
1. In the Fast Lane (12" Remaster)
2. Opolopo - In The Fast Lane
3. Opolopo - In the Fast Lane (dub) {Digital exclusive]
4. Opolopo - In the Fast Lane (preview snippet)
Jean-Luc Ponty: 5 String violin and Synclavier-II
Baron Browne: Bass
Rayford Griffin: Drums
Baron Browne: Bass
Rayford Griffin: Drums
