OXYGÈNE

As a casual listener of JMJ I found Oxygene at my library. I alredy know Rendezvouz and Equinoxe and I like them. With Oxygene. this is a bit different as it have its ups and downs. The sound is really outdated at places and this means that the wow-factor of the album is gone. It has nice soundscapes in the most parts though. I only find part 5 very interesting, but 1 and 4 has its moments. 2½ stars rounding to 3.

Pt 1: Nice soundscape but the 'Theremin' is annoying at places - reminds me of sawblade playing ... Pt 2: Overlong weak melody but a good soundscape Pt 3: Old sounds - Commodore 64 meets 'Lost in space' ! worst track. Pt.4: I remember this piece often played in radio at the times, popular but moody, I like it. pt 5: This is the most interesting part. A slow and quiet Bach'esque start evolving to a hypnotic ostinate with a repetetive Ravel'esque bolero. The most 'prog' part of the album IMO. I really like this part. Reminds me of Tangerine Dream Pt 6: Again the sound is outdated and this steals attention of the relative weak melody in spite of a nice soundscape - seagulls and waves.