Jean-Michel Jarre's Oxygène first appeared this week in December 1976, quietly redefining electronic music from a makeshift Parisian studio. Recorded in Jarre’s kitchen with a collection of analogue synthesizers, tape machines, and inventive techniques, the album initially struggled to find its footing but ultimately reshaped the global music landscape. It wasn’t an immediate success—rejected by several record labels, scoffed at by critics, and dismissed for its unconventionality—but Oxygène became a sleeper phenomenon. Today, it stands as one of the most influential electronic albums ever created, a milestone in the genre’s evolution.
Oxygène’s legacy extends far beyond its initial success. By 2016, it had sold an estimated 18 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling French albums in history. Its influence is evident in the work of artists such as Moby, who cited Jarre as an inspiration, and Brian Canham of Pseudo Echo, who acknowledged the album’s impact on his production style. Retrospective reviews have lauded its innovation and enduring appeal, with AllMusic’s Jim Brenholts describing it as “one of the original e-music albums” that has “withstood the test of time.”
The album’s influence on electronic music cannot be overstated. It demonstrated the potential of synthesizers not just as tools for experimental soundscapes but as instruments capable of producing accessible, emotionally resonant music. Jarre’s ability to merge avant-garde techniques with pop sensibilities set a precedent for future electronic artists. His follow-up albums, including Équinoxe and Oxygène 7–13, built on this foundation, exploring new sonic territories while retaining the emotive power that characterised his earlier work.
Reflecting on Oxygène, Jarre once remarked on the irony of its initial reception. “Hi-fi shops played it as an example of state-of-the-art music,” he recalled. “I didn’t tell them I made it in my kitchen with Sellotape.” This blend of resourcefulness and ambition encapsulates the spirit of Oxygène—an album born from limitations but defined by boundless creativity. Nearly five decades later, its resonance remains undiminished, a testament to Jarre’s vision and the enduring power of electronic music.
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發表於 2024-12-6 22:12:05
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