Jean Michel Jarre: Equinoxe

Following the breakthrough success of this French composer's previous album, 'Oxygene,' which is reviewed here, Jarre's 1978 followup continues stylistically where his last album left off. While the ripples sent through the musical world with his previous release are not echoed in this album, which comes at a time in which the synthesiser was becoming increasingly mainstream, Jarre's second major album presents an even more impressive portfolio than the composer's previous album.

The album itself contains a total of eight tracks which are, like 'Oxygene,' labelled as 'Part 1,' 'Part 2' and so forth but other than this and Jarre's style of writing, that is where the comparisons end. For one, 'Equinoxe' presents a wider sonic palette from Jarre and the album presents a more immediate progression between tracks, constructing a much clearer musical journey than the album's predecessor.

Among the highlights are parts 2 and 3, which constitute the majority of the albums A Side. In these tracks, there is a notable development from Jarre in his use of sequencing, with the bassline in part 3 being particularly interesting. Part 4 also introduces one of the most memorable musical material from the album and was released as the second single from this album.

The first single to be released was part 5 which, while it presents a highly exciting track, remains relegated by some as puerile for its composition style. The album concludes with a melancholy track, part 8, which exhibits typical writing for street organs which Jarre incorporates which playing live.

Overall, this album presents a significant development for Jarre and remains some of his finest work.

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