Jean-Michel Jarre- Oxygene

Time for France Month! We'll be starting off with France's best known prog electronic pioneer, Jean-Michel Jarre. Son of film composer Maurice Jarre, Jean-Michel released an impossible to find album in 1972 which went nowhere. he then made no new albums for 4 years, but built a home 8-track studio with dozens of assorted synthesizers. Oxygene, released in 1976, is the result. This album won Jarre 15 minutes of fame in the U.S. and set him on pace for a notable career over in Europe.

All of the songs are part of the long piece Oxygene, with 6 parts, 3 per side of the record. Part one starts off ARP synth wails and some drib-drab vibraphone like noises. It goes for a creepy, arctic feel. Part 2 is one of the two most critical parts. Jarre tries some innovative sampling and sequencing here. Unfortunately, by using all the latest and greatest settings of 1976, "Oxygene Pt. 2" is enjoyable, but sounds immensely dated. At just 2:55, Part 3 is a short space-age interlude. The second key part is 4, where Jarre uses a Caribbean muzak rhythm to make his melody. This would influence electronic music for 40 years to come. Part 5 runs for over 10 minutes. It is similar in style to part 3, very alien and spacey. Part 6 closes on more Caribbean like beat with a melody similar to Part 1.

This album is of its time. By using ARP and Moog synthesizers abundantly (both would be out of business in less than 10 years) amongst other synth equipment from the age, it sounds more dated then almost any progressive rock. Yet, it's got a quirky and innocent charm despite the age. Oxygene is fun to nod along to in the background, and on top of that this album is great for getting electronic prog converts.

The little child with special appeal in a world full of somber existentialist men, Oxygene earns a Grade of B+.