Jean Michel Jarre
„Oxygene 3“
Electro/Ambient. Translucent Vinyl. 2016

The actual “heroes”, played by Jean Michel Jarre (JMJ), are:

Eminent 310, AKS, VCS 3, Small Stone, Electric Mistress, ARP 2600, ARP 2500, Moog Sub 37, OB6, Mellotron D4000, Korg Polyphonic Ensemble, Mini Pops, Metasonic, Digisequencer, TR8, Animoog, OP1, OP12, OP24, Qchord, Analog Keys, Virus, Dune, Nordlead 1, Monark, Rblocks, Spire, Serum, Cognosphere, Taurus1, Micro Monsta, Philicorda.

After Oxygene (1976) and Oxygene 7-13 (1997), Oxygene 3 was finally released in 2016. As always, JMJ aims to offer listeners a sonic journey. Those who embark on it can experience a spacey journey, although Oxygene alludes to the environmental problems on our planet. After parts 1-6 on Oxygen, and 7-13 on Oxygene 2 (officially Oxygen 7-13), JMJ released parts 14-20. While Oxygene and Oxygene 3 were well received, the response to 7-13 was mixed. It's clear that JMJ made instrumental electro compatible with radio and the masses in the 1970s. The melodies are pleasing, but those looking for innovation will be left empty-handed. 

JMJ composed and produced Oxygen 3 quite quickly, just like Oxygene, in about six weeks. In 2016 and 1997, JMJ was able to draw on his full range of material and no longer had to "beg" for record deals. Oxygene 3 is actually calmer and also darker. Only Part 17 is more cheerful, danceable, with a "simple" melody. Modern electronic music greets us here. Part 19 is calmer again, and Part 20 is more ethereal. I can live very well with this division.

Opinion of a less electronic-minded prog-head: What comes out of my speakers sounds really good, and I don't care whether I'm listening to the vinyl Oxygen, Oxygene 7-13 (sadly, I only have it on CD), or the vinyl Oxygene 3. And although Oxygene 7-13 sounds much closer to Oxygene, I like Oxygene 3 better. Nevertheless, I now see Parts 1 - 20 as a single work, even though 30 years have passed between Oxygene and Oxygene 3. That's exactly why it's interesting to me as a prog-head, because you can hear technical developments here, and each development has its own charm. The length also appeals to me, of course. Even without these thoughts, without knowledge of technical changes, you can still relax and enjoy the music.

The vinyl is flat and shows no signs of wobbling or bouncing. That's how it should be, dear vinyl lovers.

The photos are all from my LP. The rights to all motifs, logos, texts and fonts that can be seen in the photos are of course owned by the copyright holder.