DIRECT

The year 1988 rolls around and Vangelis had explored several styles during the decade, but really only released 4 major albums since 1983. I suppose that's not too bad, but the ground that he covered in those albums is quite impressive. In "Soil Festivities" he explored improvisation while remaining fairly close to his basic style, in "Mask" he utilized tribal rhythms, percussion, choir and pretty much started moving away from his style, in "Invisible Connections" he explored minimal music and impressionistic style and he also released an album with a vocal soloist (which, unfortunately, I have not heard yet).

"Direct" would be his last album in the 80's. At the time of it's release, the new age movement was getting a lot of attention, and Vangelis could have been in danger of falling into that movement. Though, he does dabble with the sound a few times in this album ("The Will of the Wind", "Metallic Rain"), he pretty much keeps himself from becoming one of its victims. This time around, he moves back to his older style, with melodic and beautiful pieces that also contain a lot of variety from one track to the next. There are some nice hints of electronic progressive sound in this album and some surprises that you almost wouldn't expect from him.

The Motion of Stars - Sparkling synth layers set this one off with another layer acting as a melody with sustained notes. Then we get a flashing sound running around across the speakers and it's almost like traveling through space. The melody gets more enhanced and brighter later on as the sparkling star sound plays on. The sound is crisp and clean. The movement soon stops and the mood becomes more sustained for a while before the synth loops start up again.

The Will of the Wind - This one has a bit of a Native American feel to it, probably from the flutes. It is also more melodic and accessible, but unfortunately, verges on becoming a bit too new age-y sounding. Not as intriguing or original as the first track.

Metallic Rain - This sort of follows easily in the previous track's style, but without the rhythm. It is more understated, but still continues with that new age style. Halfway through, a heavier sound and strong drum beat kicks in for the middle section, but it soon returns to the original style and then moves back and forth between styles.

Elsewhere ? This one is more along the lines of classic Vangelis style, a simple and lovely melody against a quieter background. Less of the new age feel and more like the Vangelis we love to hear with beautiful effects and trading off the melodic part of the track with different synth tones and colors.

Dial Out - This one does not appear on the vinyl version probably for space reasons. It has a steady beat and a nice melodic line that has a more Berlin School feel to it. The piano parts are nice as it moves to a symphonic style later on and then it continues to move back and forth between styles with some variation in the instrumentation effects.

Glorianna (Hymn à la Femme) - Wind effects bring in an operatic female vocalists. The synths are used to dramatize the vocals and rolling drums and crashing cymbals make it even more dramatic. The melody is wordless as the voices carry the melody which is quite lifting and lovely. It's nice to hear Vangelis borrow more from the classical style than trying to follow the new age style that was so prevalent at the time.

Rotation's Logic - This is a pop-electronica song and was probably considered as a single, I would imagine. It's a nice track, but follows a repetitive melodic riff with a catchy beat and tempting bass pattern.

The Oracle of Apollo - The harp is the main instrument in this lovely piece with synth bass and strings supporting it. Very nice and simple.

Message - This one is in a different track sequence on the vinyl version as it appears as the last track. A fast pitched voice speaks in indecipherable language as synth strings and a thumping drum builds a calm intensity. The track than takes on a symphonic feel as an organ appears with the strings which are in turn surrounded by nice arpeggio effects. This is a very cinematic track with a constant build throughout.

Ave - The rhythm is a bit more progressive and the style is more rock-oriented. There is an echo of 80's style keyboards in the supporting synth, but the synth-bass and the choir give it a nice tribal-lite feel. If the beat wasn't so heavy, it could almost pass off as a new-age track, but it isn't quite so obvious and still passes as a pretty good track, just a bit too commercial sounding though.

First Approach - A slowly sparkling synth line is established and eventually brings in a synthesized cello and, later on, flute. There is a synth-choir added too giving it a nice, celestial feel. Beautiful piece.

Intergalactic Radio Station - Again, this one is also missing from the vinyl version because of space issues. This also has the Berlin school/progressive rock style to it with a constant heavy beat and various synth layers playing key changes, background and melody, almost with a Kraftwerk feel to it. Later on, it becomes heavier as it takes on a thumping rock style before the harp takes over again and then a synth guitar comes in and the music becomes a slow- blues swing style with synth-brass which is a nice surprise. A spoken word vocal comes in at the last minute as the music plays to carry it to the end.

Overall, this is a very entertaining and interesting set of tracks from the master. He returns to his form on this one and that made many fans happy. But he does it without moving backwards. Instead he incorporates his style in mostly relevant sounding music that should appeal to many. Vangelis had a desire to create a series of direct to disc music and this was to be the first album of that series. In this series, Vangelis was to use his technique of shortening the distance between inspiration and realization by composing, arranging and recording simultaneously without any computer pre-programming. I don't know if this series of albums was ever realized, but Vangelis pretty much considered that his usual style anyway. Either way, this album still functions well on it's own and is a testament to Vangelis' versatility. If you can ignore the similarity of the two above mentioned songs that teeter on the edge of being new age music, this should stand up there with some of his best especially showing his versatility.