AIRBORN

This album is nothing else than the Platinum album, plus the "Guilty" track, and minus the "Woodhenge" track. This record is probably Oldfield's most representative work of the progressive rock style. Mike's many electric guitars solos are VERY catchy and melodic, like on the QE2 album. All the tracks are at least very good. The epic "Platinum" track has excellent complex bass, pleasant & sometimes funny male and female vocals, charming vibraphone/marimba, delicate piano and some very rhythmic keyboards (clavinet?) in the beginning: it must be completely & uninterruptedly listened.

The side 2 is not less interesting: the rhythmic and melodic "Guilty", very keyboards oriented, was the music theme of a popular TV presentation in the 80's here in Quebec, of which I forgot the name. Mike's taste for excellent female lead & backing vocals is legendary: Wendy Roberts gracefully sings on "Into Wonderland"; there are also some funny male chants and a lively & melodic synthesizer solo; the bass is provided by a punchy synthesizer. "Punkadiddle" is a funny track full of melodic guitars and childlike keyboards, with a funny punk rhythm in the second part. Wendy Roberts sings very well again on "I got rhythm", supported by melodic and catchy electric piano notes.

Rating: 4.5 stars