1492 - CONQUEST OF PARADISE (OST)

It is of course no coincidence that this album was released in 1992, exactly 500 years after the date mentioned in the title. This is in fact the soundtrack to the Ridley Scott film of the same name. The film was originally to be simply called Columbus, but the title was changed to emphasise the anniversary. Vangelis would work again with Scott on the music for "Blade runner".

After a brief introductory "Opening", the title theme "Conquest of paradise" is a magnificently pompous synth and chorale piece which can roughly be described as "To the unknown man" meets "Chariots of fire". The slow marching rhythm builds majestically, Vangelis floating his synth in and out between the voices.

While much of the rest of the album is dominated by the almost ambient sounds of Vangelis synth, the choirs do return at various points, along with what sounds like acoustic guitar, flute and sundry other instruments.

The music flows as a continuous piece, the tracks merging seamlessly from one to the next. There are inevitably parts which paint pictures of the vast oceans and ships sailing upon them, but there is also the occasional suprise, perhaps in the form of an ethnic flavoured, world music type theme or sound.

Those who enjoy the music of Vangelis will probably look upon this as a highly satisfactory album. Those less familiar would be well advised to use it as an introduction to him. While it lacks some of the dynamics of his early releases, this is a highly melodic and thoroughly enjoyable listen.

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