SEX POWER (OST)

This was the Greek composer's first solo work and actually a soundtrack. The vinyl version is split into two halves but has different pieces within them. They are mostly short, ranging from one to two minutes. Many segments are built around one main simplistic melody which is very mellow and delicate.

Just like Vangelis' later albums, there are lots of musical ideas including the use of some folky acoustic guitar, an organ/harpsichord with percussion interplay, soothing vocals and some sharply performed ethnic bells. The fourth piece is purely percussion and brings in some new moods by becoming faster and more ominous. The following piece has more of a classical nature with some charming piano.

The seventh part is an industrial experimentation with various kinds of percussion. It features bass drum punches and gong strikes as well as a few dissonent chords from a glockenspiel and returning echoes from the gong. There are also some light gregorian chants and a tiny bit of organ but no musical pattern. It lasts for eight minutes which is far too long as it becomes a tad boring. It does however, pave the way to the nighmarish panoramas of hell, later visioned by Vangelis on his masterwork "Heaven And Hell".

I would compare the proto-industrial sound with the factory style noise of early Kraftwerk or Faust. The album ends on a soothing note with a reprise of the main theme. I have to give a decent raing for this one because it is mostly very pleasurable and has diversity. Vangelis fans should definitely track this one down as an important historical link at least. 3 stars.