REPRISE 1990-1999

My Vangelis "collection" consists of just two compilations, the first covering his space synth work of the late 70s, the latter featuring his 90s output. By this time, the once great man was either producing mundane orchestral soundtracks (little different from the work of James Horner, John Williams, etc) or trite New Age stuff that could have won him a life- time contract with Windham Hill.

There are a handful of noteworthy pieces of music on this album like Conquest Of Paradise (featuring a chamber choir as well as some rich synth work), the rippling tranquil Sea Of Coral, and Rachel's Song, which features a wordless vocal from Mary "Those Were The Days" Hopkin, but most of it was mind-numbingly dull. There's nothing really progressive about this "elavator music" phase of Vangelis' career, which may not even compare favourably with the work Kitaro was doing at the same time! ... 19% on the MPV scale

With only one 1-star review preceding I want to give my opposite opinion. Vangelis (from late 80's onwards) is not 'elevator music'. It isn't exactly progressive either but good music doesn't have to be prog. For the most part, this compilation draws from the albums 1492, Voices, Oceanic and El Greco, all very fine works. The rest is solitary tracks from The City, Blade Runner and soundtracks of "Bitter Moon" and "The Plague".

Vangelis has been one of my constant favourites for one and a half decade - had it all been new I would have been deeply impressed of it all. At least I think... it was simultaneously with my 'New age phase' that Vangelis became dear to me. But why I still love Vangelis and don't care much for New Age? Simply because his music gives so much more. Yes, it's soft and romantic. Its sound is polished to the extreme. But it just IS so goddam beautiful and gorgeous, and mind-teasing in a cinematic way. Even prog- listener is allowed to enjoy the easily enjoyable.

The main thing I like about this album it that it doesn't claim to be a best of album, but rather a reprisal of Vangelis albums from 1990 to 1999. It goes back to the albums made in this period and selects a sample from each which are then compiled into one CD spanning the entire decade. This may seem as a cheep way to sell more albums but I like the idea of a reprisal of music as it lets you think back on the music. Despite the fact "Reprise" may seem like a random assortment of songs, it actually flows very well which I think is due to creative arrangement.

"Reprise" has all (well, most) the most memorable songs from 1990 to 1999 which includes the famous "Conquest of Paradise" which was a world wide number hit and it remained at the Top of the German charts for three months. There are many other memorable songs which mesh well together on this album. The CD art and Booklet aren't just cheap and low-budget but they give a short summary of all the albums which songs were taken from for Reprisal as well as many cool pictures of Vangelis's equipment. Of course, there is nothing like owning the actual albums of Vangelis, which is why I can't give it more than three stars. But this is a very good place to start with his works. Good, but non-essential

As the previous reviewer mentions this is not a 'best of'.Vangelis has taken various peices from his nineties works and cleverly knitted them together to create something that feels entirely new.This is the lushest dreamiest synth album you are likely to hear.60 minutes that flows beautifully.There are no gaps between any of the tracks. Ideal maybe for a download on to your I-pod if you're going abroad and want to melt away in the sun!

Yes this is a compilation album with a difference. There is the blended coherence of one track flowing seamlessley into another. There is also the added bonus of new material and previously unreleased material. Check out 'Pslamus Ode', beautiful boy choir choral singing.The album also highlights songs off Voices and Oceanic, ' Come to me' is a stunner as is the dreamy ' bon Voyage' and ' Dreams Of Surf'. The production on Reprise is excellent which neutralises any misgivings about yet another best of variation. Three stars would be a fair call on this release.