Vangelis ~ Greece

Albedo 0.39 (1976)

Here's an album I've owned in one form or fashion for 35 years, but never got around to penning any notes for it. Vangelis had this habit of throwing out rock textures every once in awhile before being drawn back to softer electronic music. He was a natural leader in the new age movement of the 1980s, and achieved great success with Chariots of Fire. His music more famous than the movie. The opener here 'Pulstar' is one such creature, filled with heavy rhythms and electric guitar. Most of the longer songs are rock based, though still very much rooted in the electronic sphere. I'm not always keen on his synth textures however. Some of them I find grating. Other than the opener, the other highlight would be the two part 'Nucleogenesis' which mixes rock drums with synthesizers, including the use of sequencers. Much more classical symphonic than Klaus Schulze and Edgar Froese's experiments at that time.

Ownership: 1997 Windham Hill (CD). Alternate cover to fit the label's motif. Oddly this is the only US CD pressing of this album, including compilations.

1990 (LP acquired); 2/6/13 (CD acquired); 5/23/17; 12/22/25 (review)

L'Apocalypse des Animaux (1981) 

Though recorded in 1970, the album wasn't originally released until 1973. This is a TV soundtrack and very much ahead of its time in using electronics to set the mood. A bit slow for listening but one can certainly admire the pioneering spirit. Along with his group Aphrodite's Child, Vangelis was leading the pack in creativity in the early 70s. He settled into old age too fast. 

Source: 1981 Polydor UK (LP)

6/18/24 (review)

Hypothesis (1971 / 1980)

---2004

Hypothesis and The Dragon are loose jazzy rock jams from 1971 recorded prior to Vangelis' masterwork 666 with Aphrodite's Child. Vangelis treats these two recordings much in the same way as Klaus Schulze does with the Cosmic Jokers, in that he's distanced himself from them and claims they were never meant to be released to a larger audience. This argument can be further advanced by the fact that the LP's were released some seven years later. And Vangelis successfully sued to have them removed from the market. Though not in time for them to proliferate worldwide.

---5/18/23

Picked this up for a buck at the Austin show. I've had it before but my opinion remained unchanged on this revisit. I'll sell it again.

Former ownership: 1980 Oxford / Affinity Italy (LP)

1990 (acquired); 1996; 2004; 5/18/23 (reacquired / review)

Antarctica (1983)

I never heard this album, but it was very prominent in the import sections back then, which was my heyday into discovering new electronic albums. When one sees Vangelis and Antarctica, my mind moves to glacial and dull. But that's not really the case here. It's majestic and accomplished. While it for certain sounds "modern" by 1983 standards, its structure is based in both classical and 70s electronic. A very nice, mellow, late evening listen to reflect upon one's life. Probably not enough here for me to keep at this point, but I consider this in the upper tier of Vangelis' solo works.

Source: 1983 Polydor Japan (LP)

8/7/21 (review)
 

Mask (1985)

Similar to Mike Oldfield's Amarok considering sequence, Vangelis' Mask is an album out of nowhere. By this time, most of his music was wimpy New Age. But not Mask. Heavy sequencing, haunting choirs, pounding percussion, and moody textures define this advanced work. A great album that has stood the test of time. And a good one to play to those who think Vangelis is an artist to be ignored.

Ownership: Polydor (CD). 90's pressing.

1989 (LP acquired); 9/15/19 (review)

Sex Power (1970)

Sex Power is Vangelis' debut solo album, which is a pretty crude, but well done, soundtrack to a French soft core erotica flick. There's the usual ambient atmospheric keyboards, along with Martin Denny styled Exotica (bongos, voices), as well as sound field tape sounds. Decent enough for the era. Not sure why this hasn't been reissued (legit of course), given its historical value at the very least. Guess the artist wants nothing to do with it.

9/8/19 (review)

Also own and need to review Earth.

Once owned the following: Heaven and Hell; Opera Sauvage; China; The Friends of Mr. Cairo; Soil Festivities; The Dragon

9/15/19 (new entry)