Oxygene, by
Jean Michel Jarre. (1976)
The first album from French synthesizer composer. The album features a battery of analogue synthesizers, each played by the man himself:
(as listed on the
record sleeve)
The tracks are named simply "Oxygene Part n", where n is a number from 1 to 6 in Roman Numerals. Side one of the LP has the first three, side two the latter. The cover of the album depicts a globe peeling away to reveal a human skull, the raw, red, sticky inner walls of the planet clearly visible. (eerie, indeed)
The music is awash with not-quite-intense synth drones, dramatic builds, and memorable themes. On this album his music is very filmic in that it seems to shift mood in stages - all the tracks fit together with no silence between.
Oxygene Part IV was used for the Tomorrow's World TV programme theme in the UK, and Part II was featured in Peter Weir's Australian film Gallipoli. It's not surprising that his work should be selected for use in such ways, as most of Jarre's previous work consisted of film scores.
Kudos to stupot for the Tomorrow's World reference.