Track Listing

1. Equinoxe
2. Equinoxe
3. Equinoxe
4. Equinoxe
5. Equinoxe
6. Equinoxe
7. Equinoxe
8. Equinoxe

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6403 in Music
• Released on: 2007-04-02
• Number of discs: 1

Album Review
As the follow up album to Oxygene, Equinoxe offers the same mesmerising affect, with rapid spinning sequencer washes and bubbling synthesizer portions all lilting back and forth to stardust scatterings of electronic pastiches. Using more than 13 different types of synthesizers, Jarre combines whirling soundscapes of multi-textured effects, passages, and sometimes suites to culminate interesting electronic atmospheres. Never repeating the same sounds twice, it is obvious that the science fiction hype of the late 70's played a large part in the making of this album. Computerised rhythms and keyboard-soaked transitions scurry by, replaced by even quicker, more illustrious ones soon after. There is always a pulsating beat or a fluttering tempo happening somewhere in each of the tracks, which are titled as a numbered sequence one to eight. Each track harbours its own energy and electronic fleetness, but none are identical in sound or pace. So much electronic colour is added to every track that it is impossible to concentrate on any particular segment, resulting in waves of synth drowning the ears at high tide. --Mike DeGagne, All Music Guide

CD Description
Synthesizer master Jarre built an entire career around the renown he achieved through this 1978 recording. Performed entirely on synthesizers, EQUINOXE consists of a single piece divided up into eight movements. Clearly influenced by the more melodic side of mid-period Tangerine Dream and Vangelis,Jarre filled this album with gauzy, atmospheric synth textures marked by an inviting, impressionistic feel.
The cinematic vistas evoked by Jarre's dreamy analog synthscapes arealso undoubtedly influenced by his father, famed film composer Maurice Jarre. EQUINOXE takes a decided turn towards themainstream when the bouncy, sequenced rhythms kick in, but the moodier sections are intoxicating, worthy of Klaus Schulze at his best.

Customer Reviews

This Album Changed my Life
I first heard this album when I was fifteen and it still sends shivers down my spine even now when I hear it. The introduction (equinoxe part 1) is beutiful with it's rapid arpegios and deep portamento pitch sweeps, it's realy an inspiring start to the album but maybee a little short. Part 3 continues with more arpegios and a realy beautiful melody backed in places by mellotron choir, and finishes with a collage of interesting sound effects including an early but authentic synthesised bell chime. Parts 4 and 5 must be two of Jarre's famous pieces, great tunes with his sequncers on overdrive and his passion for Bontempi Organ drum machines. Part 6 carries on from 5 but with more sequences thrown into the exotic mix. The first part of Equinoxe 8 will be more familiar under the name 'Band in the rain' to younger Jarre fans, and still reminds me of french onion sellers on bicycles with it's galic accordian melody. The second part of equinoxe 8 I feel lets the album down a little because it's just a very slow solo of part 5 (jean michel just trying to fill a little more space on the album I feel).
I can't stress what effect this album had on me especialy equinoxe 1. I think after hearing this album I totaly gave up on the chart music of the time and started collecting electronic music and being an avid synth player and composer myself now and at the time this album had a great influence on me. Ta Jean-Michel.

One of the greatest Instrumental albums of all time
I heard Equinoxe part 5 as a child. I did not know the musician, or even the name of the tune at the time. But I was captivated.

When I bought the album I expected one or two good tunes. Few albums promise complete satisfaction. Yet this is akin to a Greatest Hits compliation, with many of his finest pieces in a single collection. And this was only his second album.

While I am a fan, I do not believe Jarre has been consistent. His last two studio albums were quite awful. Even his recent concerts could never hope to emulate his spectacular Paris La Defense show (1990).

Equinoxe is, however, his greatest album and one of the greatest instrumental albums of all time.

Quite Wonderful

I loved this when it first appeared, my favourite of JMJ's early output, but was disappointed by the original "Polydor UK" Cd release, Somewhere, JMJ either used better masters for the Disques Dreyfus release, or did some very subtle remix work, as the result is so much more vivid and colourful (the same thing happened with "Zoolook").

There's something for everyone here, my favourites being pt's 5-7, which must be played on a pair of decent, BIG, speakers (or top notch headphones at a pinch) to really show the scale and movement of these pieces.

If you don't already have this, WHY NOT?

Enjoy...