Search - Jean-Michel Jarre :: Rendez-Vous

Simply amazing

Mr. A. Bryan | 12/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although not the best place to start if you're new to Jean Michel's work - Oxygene, Equinoxe, Revolutions and Chronologie are more likely to get you hooked - this is a must have for any serious music collection that involves electronic music.Although most well known for the Houston/Lyon double act of 1986 as well as having Final Rendez-vous (to use the correct name) becoming the 'theme' of the Challenger disaster that same year, Rendez-vous stands out on its own as an album that perfectly showcases Jean Michel's talents.Opening with a dramatic piece that rams an image of space vistas into your head, the tone is epic and relaxed. Before you get yourself too lazy though, Second Rendez-vous shoots you right between the eyes with its dramatic three-part ten minute score. Punctuated in the middle by Jarre's laser harp dancing, it finishes by reaching a climax and then filtering away into the night.Third Rendez-vous shows off the laser harp as a wonderful solo instrument. Why more artists don't use this thing is anyone's guess! Fourth-Rendezvous is quite frankly the piece that got me infected with Jarreitus. Although better when performed live complete with light show and fireworks, it's still a fine toe-tapping piece to listen to in any guise (yes, even Rendez-vous '98...), although as many have said, it feels somewhat out of place sandwiched between Third Rendez-vous and Fifth Rendez-vous.Fifth Rendez-vous is a return to a more 'calmer' piece where if you listen carefully, you'll hear fragments of previous tracks. Of course, Final Rendez-vous is a triumph. Both saddening but at the same time full of the idea of space, the album bows out on a high.Easily one of Jarre's greatest works it's well worth having. The continued inclusion of both Second Rendez-vous and Fourth-Rendezvous in Jean Michel's live concerts are testament to the album's greatness."

My personal favorite JMJ album.

Jason Merlo | Austin, TX USA | 04/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rendez-vous has it all: Swirling instrumental backdrops like those found in the early Jarre albums, a few bouncy melodies like in the later ones, and most importantly COHESION between the two which many of his releases don't have.This is a great place to start if you don't know JMJ. I would put this CD and Oxygene 7-13 in the same camp.I loved this CD even before I found out that the final track (Last Rendez-vous: Ron's Piece) was supposed to be the first music performed in space (by Challenger astronaut and saxophonist Ron McNair). It's fitting that it's such a sad piece, filled with loss. Love that sax."

Cosmos and "Mars" future Rendez-vouz...

scientist | Houston, Texas USA | 08/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first got "turned-on" to Jean-Michel Jarre in 1990* where through a promotional from Sony, I received the entire collection to date*. Rendez-vous is the most widely known cd because of the PBS series Cosmos, which was hosted by the late, great, scientist, Carl Sagan.Rendez-vous is truly magnifique and I am torn between the Houston/Lyon Live CD and this one for obvious reasons. Kirk Whalum and Pierre Gossez's contribution to "Ron's Piece" (Last Rendez-vous) have me siding with Pierre even after I've listened with the producers of some recorded benefits for Houston featuring Kirk. How that came about is a long story indeed, but not as long of a story as Jean-Michel's claim to fame. For those who have never heard of Jean-Michel, this is the "classic" to start out with. His upcoming releases with Sony will be equal to the task of upholding the excellence you'd expect from his works. But my favorite will always be this CD. It's jazzy sultry sound is tasteful as it is sweet. What's best about the music is simply this: It's clean, inspiring and soaring. You can't ask for more than that. I myself enjoy listening to his entire collection over-and-over whilst doing research or performing my experiments.For the future audience I say, Enjoy.... [for Carl and Ron McNair]"