Enigmatic Ocean

French jazz-rock violinist Ponty — who worked with Frank Zappa, John McLaughlin, and Elton John before starting his Atlantic solo career — had a substantial hit with his fourth Atlantic Records album, which reached #1 on the Billboard jazz chart in 1977. The four-part title suite prominently features guitarist Allan Holdsworth, who shreds up a storm, but the whole thing is centered around the leader’s rich, full melody lines and propelled by Journey drummer Steve Smith’s taut, snapping rhythms and Ralphe Armstrong’s thick, churning bass.