CHINA

Vangelis makes a great artistic statement in his tribute to China, an album that uses both electronic and world instruments to create a uniform and decorated sonic landspace picture. The opening "Chung Kao" is a great combination of these sounds and a very majestic and regal piece. "The Dragon and "The Plum Blossom" are also highlights, along with "The Little Fete", which is a great poem in it's own right. The prize of the album, though, is in it's second half, where Vangelis uses his keyboards to great effect to make a more spacey blend of the instruments. All 3 of the songs on Side Two are truly original masterpieces of combined electronic and world instruments. "Yin and Yang" has a one of a kind structure, with beautiful, shimmering synths, and "Himilaya" and "Summit" are kind of a connected two-part tribute to the himilayas, with the longer, steadier song being the climbing one, and the second song being a bright, visionary piece that's great for complimenting a great view.