SPACE ART

That is one of the coolest album covers I have ever seen. Who came up with that? SPACE ART were a duo of electronics and drums forming in France in 1977, and releasing this, their debut that same year. The key for me with the music here is the real drums, and the man is good. We get a 34 minute album with seven tracks. I find it interesting that jean- Michel Jarre who released his two acclaimed albums the year before and the year after SPACE ART's debut, actually asked this duo to go with him to China and play live, which they did. They were one of the first international acts to play there as well.

That opener "Onyx" is a favourite of mine, the way it builds, and when the drums join in around a minute, it's really good. The second track is more mellow, an almost mysterious piece of music with melancholy. Another winner. "Interlune" is just that, and it's dark and quiet. "Axius" has some energy and power right off the hop. Amazing sound after a minute but it will change. "Aquarella" is the closest thing to berlin school but not quite. The longest track is "Ode A Claviius" at 8 1/2 minutes, and while it has it's moments it also isn't one of my favourites. A lot of high pitched synths here. The closer at just over 6 minutes rivals the opener as my favourite on here. Powerful stuff including the atmosphere. Drums are more to the fore here as well.

A very solid debut that is just a little different from the rest.