ALBEDO 0.39

Another excellent release by the Greek master, and one of his most well-konwn albums. The two short pieces that begin either side of the original l.p. are true Vangelis classics. Pulstar sets the stage for a more sci-fi techno sound. Electronics are much more in evidence on this album than earlier releases, creating a crisp yet cold sound. Alpha is a repeating pattern that starts of with a basic rhythm and melody to which increased orchestration is added leading up to a climax. This type of composition becomes a typical platform for Vangelis and is found in many later works, albeit in greater length and complexity. The title track closes the album with spoken statistics on the earth over atmospheric music that conveys the sense of one looking down at the planet from space. This is really the theme of the album. Almost all of the tracks reflect it. Recordings from astronauts are featured. Vangelis' strong sense for melody plays well in the already mentioned Alpha and title track but also in Sword of Orion. Atmospherics are important to Freefall and Mare Tranqulitatus. The remaining tracks, Main Sequence and Nucleogenesis (in two parts) harken back to his previous experiments in jazz. These work much better than Hypothesis did, however. Though complex, they are engaging and the listener is never lost. A lot of musical ground is covered, but the main theme of experiencing Earth from outside (as opposed to experiencing Earth from the surface) is consistent throughout. Listen carefully, and reflect on this one.