Progressive Oxygene

Oxygene Impact as the Grandfather of Progressive House

https://www.discogs.com/release/1519953-Jean-Michel-Jarre-Oxyg%C3%A8ne

For years, even decades, I have heard about the “Oxygene” impact on Electronic Dance Music and indeed on all synthesizer music. It is time to learn what all the hype is about! This song is considered the first Progressive House or Trance music ever made. How can you not want to know what that is and what it sounds like. Add to that the fact it is a 1976 release, so, 47 years old, and color me intrigued!

When you listen, it is easy to comprehend why “Oxygene” is considered the first Progressive House and Trance ever. The lush, synthetic soundscapes and a catchy beat chugging along is the exact recipe! Several of the various versions of “Oxygene” stand out! In this episode we are going to look at 2 songs from the “Oxygene” album. That is “Oxygene II” and “Oxygene IV”.

Who Is Jean-Michel Jarre?

Jean-Michel Jarre is a French composer, performer and record producer. He is a pioneer in the Electronic, Ambient and New Age genres, and is known for organizing outdoor spectacles featuring his music, accompanied by vast laser displays, large projections, and fireworks. – that’s the basics from Wikipedia.

The important thing is that his art with Electronic Music is visionary! He was raised in a climate of open expression and was surrounded by musicians, street performers, and artists. That influences him greatly. When grows up, he buys synthesizers and sets up a studio in his kitchen at home.

In that studio he produces his first major success! It is his 1976 album, “Oxygene”. It is a staple for everyone who explores the origins of Electronic Music. Now I’ve put it into my repertoire! He has many albums after “Oxygene” that were also well received. His live performances are what really stand out! He still holds the record for largest music event ever for a concert he had in Moscow, Russia, that had 3.5 million attendees! He is still alive and performing.

Oxygene Impact

“Oxygene II”

Upon hearing “Oxygene II” for the first time, I instantly recalled when I had heard it! It is famous for its soundtrack use in movies! The movie I tie it to is the Australian movie starring a young Mel Gibson about the First World War called, “Gallipoli”.

“Oxygene II” has a nice bouncing beat that pushes it forward and gives it that Progressive House” vibe! The music is best described as intelligent and thoughtful but emotive. It has a sense of telling a story. In the movie scene in “Gallipoli” that uses it, the two main characters are running to catch up to a wandering hermit that knows the desert so they don’t die of thirst in the Australian outback! It fits perfect with the song!

The sound synthesis in “Oxygene II” is beautifully crafted with clean separated sounds that create a harmony. It really feels like it is telling a story and taking you on an aural journey. Take a listen!

There is no vinyl single but here is the link for the 1979 vinyl album release for “Oxygene”.

https://www.discogs.com/release/1519953-Jean-Michel-Jarre-Oxyg%C3%A8ne

“Oxygene II” Remix

The relevance of the original song, “Oxygene II” is in how it sets a standard for future Progressive House and Trance songs to follow. Also, that it is the first! There’s a huge number of songs influenced by it. 47 years ago, it was the first to ever make the vibe and style followed as a norm by Progressive House and Trance. Other than its impact on those genres, its influence can be directly heard.

“Oxygene II” has a huge impact on Electronic music through the years. The sounds from the original are in 19 songs that sample it. One that stands out for me is the 1994 “Smokin Japanese Babes” by Future Sound of London. It’s a masterpiece of Intelligent Dance Music/Ambient Dub as only FSOL can do it. Their song samples multiple sound effects from “Oxygene II”.

We will look at a more dancey song that uses it! The majority of songs sampling it are actually Hip Hop and Downtempo. We are going to look at a remix of it that is done by Soul Machine. Their version seriously beefs up the beat and drive and tune it to an even more Progressive slant! Check it out!

More Oxygene Impact

“Oxygene IV”

“Oxygene IV” is also instantly recognizable! A magazine, The Guardian, described it as “an instantly recognizable hook that rides on a bossa nova beat to explore the galaxies”. It is also used in the Grand Theft Auto IV soundtrack and in the BBC drama “Micro Men” for any Brits reading the blog!

“Oxygene II” is a great example as the origin or Progressive House and Trance, but “Oxygene IV” fits the sound even more! It has a wonderful bouncing beat the pulls you rhythmically forward in 4/4 time. There is lush synthetic melodies that run through the song and build, creating a “journey” feel to the song. It is exactly “Progressive”! It has a 1977 release date as a single with an extended version. Take a listen!

Here is the link for the vinyl album of “Oxygene” that contains “Oxygene IV”.

https://www.discogs.com/release/1519953-Jean-Michel-Jarre-Oxyg%C3%A8ne

“Oxygene IV” Remix

“Oxygene IV” is a song many other songs sample – 10 times. There are also 18 covers and 3 remixes. A song like “Oxygene IV” demands a smokin remix! That’s exactly what it gets. The remix duties we are looking at are handled by veteran Trance outfit, Astral Projection.

Their version uses a strong, driving 4/4 beat. There are added stabbing synths and drum builds that create an extremely high energy interpretation. Add to all that the atmospheric sounds from the original tying it together and you have a serious tune! Take a listen!

Conclusion

There are some great remixes, covers, and sample use of the “Oxygene” versions we look at. However, the real important fact is that “Oxygene” is the first to ever make music like what is now commonplace in Progressive House and Trance. 47 years ago! It is a most impressive feat!

The “Oxygene” impact can be felt reverberating through the Electronic Dance Music we all listen to. It is from a time when the first exploration of synthesizer based music began. In the 1970s, other musicians like Kraftwerk and Brian Eno were experimenting with making totally electronic based music, and Jean-Michel Jarre is certainly in the group of pioneers with them!

Cutting edge, innovative, timeless, and beautiful are all words that describe the album “Oxygene” I hope you learned as much about this EDM root as I did in researching and writing this episode! I hope you enjoyed the music samples! Tune back in soon for another episode. Be sure to subscribe so you get notice when new content drops! Remember, knowing about the music makes you cooler!

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