ÉQUINOXE

After the overwelming success of his previous Oxygene album , JM Jarre confirmed heavily that he was no fluke. One could say he took no risk and duplicated the formula , but this is far from the exact copy of the predecessor. Although yes , the music is also all electronics and does bear a resemblence to the other electronic wizzards as Klaus Schulze , Tangerine Dream , Brian eno , Vangelis and to a lesser extent, Heldon and Oldfield.

But however the music does not have that immediately pleasing quality that Oxygene had , and the music does not flow as easily and effortlessly as it did previously. It is safe to say that if this album had been released before Oxygene , it would have not sold quite as much. The moods developped here are more abrupt and harsher. One might need more effort and attention and need a few spins to really appreciate this album.

Ultimately , although not as spectacular as Oxygene , Equinoxe is probably more rewarding after repeated listenings. One more thing in favour of this album JM Jarre has not made a second Equinoxe album as he did with Oxygene , ruining a bit the original Oeuvre.