OXYGÈNE 3

Wasn't easy to decide to give 5 stars to this álbum. Not a masterpiece, but there are a couple of reasons about this for me. At first, if I check all the new music that I listened along 2017, Oxygene 3 is the best production, and I have no doubts about this. And second, I can fit this music into the progressive universe. In addition it is Jarre's returning to his best shape, after the disappointment Electronica I and II (at least for me). In fact, I think that Oxygene 3 it is the best from Jarre since Oxygene 7-13. The music is great, the arrengements, the electronic flavour, the rhythms, and all this synth landscapes. By a paradox the best part of the album it is on the middle, and Im trying to say that the first and the last tracks are the ones in a slightly inferior level. Oxygene 14 is a rather conventional electronic number, not bad, I like it, but nothing special. Anyway it is a good beginning of the album. But when you flow into Oxygene 15, things become Wow! All this dark and fat synth sounds (not exempt of melody), like viscous bubbles, all over a bass synth pattern and with a far techno synth motive running behind, are simply stunning. The track evolves to an obscure ending with some pseudo dramatic sounds till it gets into Oxygene 16 as a natural prolongation. The bass bubbles continues with a rhythmical and crescent density till they jump into a techno race covered by a synth wall sound with some colourful touches, just great. The music gets darker again into an obscure ending. The trip continues now to the inevitable electronic hit (or at least it tryies to be), in the vein of Oxygene 4 or Oxygene 8. And yes, Oxygene 17 is just amazing, so positive music, so original, so Jarre, definitely he returned at his best with this album. Oxygene 18 is a little and calm piece centered on the electric piano over chords matress, almost in a Vangelis vein. Simple in the the melody but surely not on the harmonies behind. Deep and emotional. And then we have Oxygene 19. Well here Jarre shines again I must say, in an ambient and spacey piece. Literally it transports you to the space, between the stars, the synth motive repeats itself in an persistent way changing the tonalities continuosly, until a suprising fanfare gets over it, just epic and I simply love it. In the end Jarre seemed to try to finish the Oxygene series with big sounds. Not bad, but I would appreciate more if he had gone with something more in the vein of the previous tracks. But I can't complain, he made a great work. I really recommend it.