ZOOLOOK

Different from any other Jarre album, and much weirder. Jarre used extremely much sampling from human voices here that he recorded while travelling around the world back in the early 80's - 25 different languages in total fused into different notes performed on the keyboard for a very peculiar effect. Notably in the massive opening track, "Ethnicolor" features a lot of voice sampling, backed up with synths and various sound effects to set a very eerie mood before exploding into an amazing climax. The less dramatic 'Diva' is similar in structure but more upbeat and features a dadaistic vocal performance by Laurie Anderson which sets for a strange and alluring feel throughout. The weirdness continue on the second side with two funkier and fun singles with the 'Zoolook' tracks, but also darker and very surreal soundscapes in tracks like 'Wooloomooloo' and 'Ethnicolor II', sadly two of Jarre's most unknown tracks. Adrian Belew (Zappa, King Crimson) and Marcus Miller are guest musicians on this album and does a fantastic job, especially Miller with his powerful slapping bass lines that really add depth to some of these tracks, and a avantgarde/pop electronica feel is frequently present here. One of JMJ's most sonically interesting albums in his career and should be checked out by anyone interested in stranger sides of electronica. 4.5/5