Customer Reviews

Oxygene 7-13

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Once again Jean-Michel Jarre took his time to prepare a new album and once again he brought a surprise to his fans. Claiming that the new instruments out of which you can dig any sound did not inspire him enough, he returned to the ones he created Oxygen (1-6) with. Jean-Michel Jarre is often called a synthesizer genius and this time he proved he also is a genius of synthesizing. He organically managed to continue the Oxygen saga, driving it track by track from 70's to 90's. It's as much a sequel as a parallel - some of the sound lines will remind you of Oxygen and Equinoxe, as if to say 'How would I do it today'. Just take a look at Oxy 3 and 9, 6 and 13, 4 and 7. The mood is the same, only 20 years later, and the catching melody of Oxy 8 is here to get mass audience. Jarre takes big care of his sound expression, of being up to date, which is also indicated by new arrangements of his greatest hits in live concerts (Magnetic Fields 2, Orient Express) - you listen and hear late 90's. And so it is with Oxygen 7-13. The circle is finished. Let's wonder where a new one will start.

Revisiting his best known album some twenty years later, Jean Michel Jarre takes the original's best qualities and updates them to a genre he helped define. While "Oxygene 7-13" is not as instantly mind blowing as the original album, it certainly is equally entertaining.

Long before the term "new age" got slapped on everything that was vaguely atmospheric and meditative, the original "Oxygene" was earthy music. Organic and enveloping as the album title suggested, each segment could hold its own as an original song, yet the pieces worked together as a whole. Once again, "Oxygene 7-13" strives for that sort of coherency and for the most part succeeds. Where this installment betters its forbear is in the fact that synthesizers and recording methodology simply improved. The sound is richer, more full, even though Jarre chose to use many of the same styles of analog machines that the original "Oxygene" was recorded with.

He also chose to make the album more rhythmic, an obvious nod to the ambient clubs sounds popular at the time. (Many of these bands were greatly influenced by the original "Oxygene" or such later albums as "Zoolook" or "Equinoxe.") That kind of thinking helped propel "Part 8" into international club hit status.

Just like its predecessor, "Oxygene 7-13" works as both background and foreground music. The dancibilty of "Part 8" will no doubt also find fans with admirers of Pink Floyd and Tangerine Dream (or anyone who uses the phrase "headphone music" when they describe listening favorites). Both dreamy and propulsive, "Oxygene 7-13" completely lives up to its namesake.

Jarre revisits his roots. To only add what has already been written before, analog synths have that 'imperfect warmth', which is why Jean-Michel returns in Oxygene 7-13 with the behemoth ARP 2600, the Theremin, and some new digital samplings to give a fresh look at what made him so successful early in his career. Jarre for the end of the 20th Century is what Marcel Dupre was for the first half, and Alexandre Guilmant, Charles-Marie Widor and Camille Saint-Saens were for the 19th Century: all excellent French composers and musicians in their own genre of music.

Just as in Equinoxe and Oxygene, Jarre introduces a simple melodic line, and moves around and through it, creating a unique aural 'landscape'. This album, however, stands alone from the above works- it is a driving, serious work. 7-13 show a remarkable cohesiveness to each 'movement', which is reminiscent of 'cyclic' style found in other French composers such as Franck and Saint-Saens. However, Oxygene 7-13 has a certain 'coolness', which I can only assume is what Jarre intended. Much the same way, the original Oxygene was very cold, Oxygene part I being almost forbiddingly so, with the Theremin in a solo voice. The Theremin returns, along with its sonority as a moon-like siren. 7-13 do not allow the listener to 'escape' as freely as Equinoxe or Oxygene, each having plenty of spatial depth and lots of legato. To his credit, Jarre creates new music, which is suited more for 'club mixes', an apparent adaptation for commercial appeal. Three distracting points he should reconsider in his next work: not to use the digital studio reverb effects- which prevent sounds from blending together, much unlike Oxygene and Equinoxe- a real distraction on this album; two- pay closer attention to detail in his editing- seques and blendings aren't as smooth as they could have been; and three, don't ever EVER use that cheap rhythm machine as used on '13'-- what a bad way to end an otherwise awesome work.

This may have been critical to some, so let's look at 7-13 another way.... Some of these pieces are set to beats for modern dance clubs, and as far as that goes, Jarre did an excellent job. In another reflection, 10&11 together stand as an awesome set, probably the centerpiece of the entire album. One can finally 'escape' into the music. Once again, Jarre leaves us with a nice Latin piece in '13', still in keeping with the cycle. Although I am critical of the 'cheapness' of the drum machine's samples, (is it a Casio home product or what?!), it leaves you with a sense that Jarre is a romantic.

I highly recommend this album as part of a Jarre collection.

"Oxygene 7-13" is not really anything new. Rather, it is the original "Oxygene" revisited and prepared for a new millennium, with 70's analogue sounds treated to late 90's digital recording techniques. It is much more than simply a remix, though. What we have here is a rethinking of the original materials, recomposed by an older, more experienced, Jean Michel Jarre. He has taken his original material apart completely, and reconstructed from the components (together with material borrowed from other sources) something that is recognisably the same, whilst at the same time appearing fresh and totally different. In many ways, it really does pick up, twenty-odd years on, just where the old "Oxygene 6" left off, way back in 1976.

The sound quality on this new version (or continuation, depending on your point of view) of the original old master is fabulous. With its 24-bit mastering, and its lush, analogue textures, augmented by fresh digital samples of real-world sounds, this work comes across as a fully up-to-date and more mature rendition, whilst remaining entirely faithful to the original idea. (Edgar Froese, please take note!) I particularly liked the passing nods to other (more serious) contemporary French composers, like François Bayle. Sure, the album has commercial exploitation potential in plenty. But then, we live in an age of exploitation and, hey, an artist has to eat!

My only criticism of this release is of its length. Really, in this day and age, there is no excuse for releasing a 40-minute CD. That apart, as a J-M Jarre classic, this album really cannot be faulted - whether or not you were a fan of the original. If you have the original, this release complements it nicely.

This album is actually called "Oxygene 7-13+1" and is a Japanese import containing Oxygene 7-13 and "Together Now" (a collaboration between Jarre and Tetsuya Komuro). The packaging is superb with new sleeve notes and great photos.

Jean Michel Jarre did it again with this outstanding album, that includes many good tracks, like the dynamic 'Oxygene 12', the airplay friendly 'Oxygene 8', and the soaring 'Oxygene 13', and if you haven't seen 'Oxygen In Moscow', that includes some of the tracks from this album, you surely have missed something!
This album is truly for collectors!

Once in your lifetime, you come accross a CD from which you just cannot let go. And I am happy to say, that Jean Michel Jarre's OXYGEN 7-13 became my all-time favorite for many years to come.

If you like the soft sounds of the synths, quiet beats, and great grooves, you HAVE to own this! Basically, it is an experience like no other, from the very father of electronic music. Jean Michel have started back in the 70s, and stayed with the old style of music that brings us this original, and somewhat unusual sound! This CD is for all those who are tired of now-day popular acidic riffs that have been way overused, and it will truly take you places. So, if you enjoy spiritual 'traveling without moving' and love electronic music, OXYGEN 7-13 is for you! And to all those who are wondering whether this CD is just a remix CD of the original, I can tell you right now, that it isn't, and it is a great album, that I like even better than the original OXYGEN. Either way, this is a great way to start your JARRE collection, and it will serrve you wee for many years to come. I know, because I started with it myself, just a year ago... Get it, and you will see, that JARRE RULES!

Jean-Michel Jarre returns to his roots on this album, and it shows. The man who paved the path for electronic music is always good for creating a stir, but this album is just made for pure aural enjoyment. After a few somewhat disappointing efforts, this album puts Jarre right back on track.

A follower of JMJ since getting Oxygene for Christmas back in '84,i thought Equinoxe was the best sounding album but having heard 7-13 i have changed my opinion.Get yourself a surround sound processor and play Oxygene 7 through all 5 speakers.A fantastic album.

Anyone who knows about this man knows what an extraordinary talent he is. The father of new age does it again with this release of pure sound and emotion! A must have for fans and newbies alike!