OXYGÈNE

This probably one of the most successful, remembered and enjoyable Jarre's efforts, standing now as one the gems of electronic music. For me, the main reason for this graciousness is the lack of experimenatl and pretentious initiatives that would cover future releases.

On this record, Jean Michel Jarre uses the synthesizers in an elegant and armonious way to create beautiful, complex but easy to listen at the same time compositions, which have managed to stay timeless in spite the fact that this album came out in 1976, in an stage where only few artists like Kraftwerk or Vangelis were able to use synthesizers in a profesional way. I would even dare to say that this album surpasses sometimes those from these artists by that time.

The album starts with a melancholic piece (Part I) which uses that eerie effect that Jarre would like to use in many of his compositions (specially in the second Oxygene album ). He also uses some Vangelis-esque synth touches (it wouldn't be the last time, by the way). Part II is a good old known one of everyone with its piercing and compassing synth tunes, along with a subtle atmospheric environment. Part III comes back with the eerie effect as well with some mellotronic passages- Part IV is another well known one, which has appeared in some movie soundtracks. Its oceanic and epic nature is simply the best. Part V plays a bit with chaos and bird-like sounds. The song has five melllow and enchanting minutes followed with other speedy, pulsating and fiery five minutes in order to create a subtle and nice contrast. Part VI is a melodic and again melancholic closing piece which greatly fits in the magnificent puzzle created here by Jean Michel Jarre.

Probably my favourite Jean Michel Jarre work. It has a charming and smooth nature that had nothing to do with subsequent efforts, unfortunately.