Vangelis: China (1979)

The composer finds his next inspiration in China, without leaving his home.

Kronomyth 7.0: The midi kingdom.

China captured the imagination of not one but two highly-regarded electronic composers during this time period: Vangelis and Jean-Michel Jarre. Unlike Jarre, Vangelis didn’t actually visit China. Instead, this is a journey of the mind and heart, as Vangelis finds inspiration in the music and culture of China. This makes China a unique entry in the world of Vangelis, even though it’s still audibly the work of Spiral’s author. Over the years, I’ve returned to China more than almost any other Vangelis album. This is partly due to simple access, since I’ve had the record in my collection for years. But it’s also a very accessible album musically, fusing traditional Chinese instruments with futuristic electronic music (the album was originally billed as a “bridge between east and west”). Now, you might take umbrage with a Greek composer making Oriental music based on remote impressions, but Vangelis didn’t need to go into space to make Albedo 0.39. His musical career has been one of sonic exploration: into Africa, into space, into China, into the Arctic. Vangelis has never been one to be intimidated by a large canvas. China is a vast canvas that Vangelis fills with an interesting array of sounds. You don’t need to have an appreciation for Chinese music to enjoy this album. What you will appreciate is Vangelis’ willingness to expand his world, his rich palette of old and new sounds, and the vivid soundscapes he creates. As a musical journey, China requires a little reorientation but is well worth the effort.

Original elpee version

A1. Chung Kuo / The Long March (7:30)
A2. The Dragon (4:10)
A3. The Plum Blossom (2:32)
A4. The Tao of Love (2:41)
A5. The Little Fete (Vangelis/J.C. Cooper) (2:59)
B1. Yin & Yang (5:48)
B2. Himalaya / Summit (15:25)

Composed and arranged by Vangelis unless noted.

The Players

Vangelis (all instruments) with Koon Fook Man (recitation on A5), Yeung Hak-Fun (recitation on A5) and Michel Ripoche (violin solo on A3). Produced by Vangelis; engineered by Andy Hendriksen, Raphael Preston and Keith Spencer-Allen.

The Plastic

Released on elpee, cassette and 8-track in April 1979 in the UK (Polydor, POLD/POLDC-5018), the US (Polydor, PD/CT/8T-1-6199), Canada (Polydor, VAN05), France (Polydor, 2310 658), Germany and the Netherlands (Polydor, 2344 131) and Japan (Polydor, MPF 1253) with picture sleeve, gatefold cover in some regions.

1. Re-issued on elpee in 1983 in the UK (Polydor, SPELP 19).
2. Re-issued on compact disc and cassette in the US (Polydor, 813 653).