Jean Michel Jarre: Oxygene 7-13

Jean Michel Jarre first found fame during the mid-late 70's for his use  of instrumental electronica composition which received widespread acclaim. 'Oxygene 7-13,' released in 1997, is a sequel to his 1976 breakthrough album, 'Oxygene,' dedicated to his former mentor Pierre Schaeffer, the father of Musique Concrete.

Jean Michel Jarre: Oxygene 7-13

This album was recorded using a number of classic synthesisers Jarre used for his previous 'Oxygene' and makes us of the Korg Minipops drum machine which provided many of the uncommon synthetic drum patterns in both albums. Stylistically however, this album is much less experimental than its prequel, with many of the tracks notably influenced by trance music with a much clearer structure.

This album comes at an uncertain point in Jarre's career in which several releases were made in various styles without a clear development of style, rather large changes. The album however does pitch itself right for the time as it combines many of the elements of popular electronic music at the time with some of Jarre's previous composition style. 

The album contains very good material and this reviewer finds it more consistent than its prequel in this regard. Many of the tracks are quite upbeat, part 12 also makes extensive use of sequenced elements which fans may enjoy. This album serves as a good introduction into Jarre's work and this style of music as a whole.

For a review of 'Oxygene,' click here.

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