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This 1979 effort by Vangelis polarizes many listeners - they either love it or hate it. It's an album that's lush and certainly innovative for its time, but doesn't integrate world influences as effectively as some other performers have done.

"China" is part of Vangelis' early creative peak. In the 70's and early 80's, he recorded many albums that have become classics of popular electronic music. China was recorded right in the middle of this time, and is a beautifully-orchestrated set of simple melodies influenced by the sound of Chinese music.

Listeners looking for a world music fusion on this album will be disappointed, though. The sounds of "China" on this don't sound very Chinese, but more of a superficial influence. If this doesn't bother you, the ablum is a fantastic example of Vangelis' work.

Vangelis is at his best when he creates lush synthesized orchestrations for his improvised folk melodies. This combination puts the otherworldly sounds of his sythesis into a context that listeners can easily understand.

"Chung Kuo" starts the album off with a bang. It begins with clashing percussive noises, white noise sounds swirling around, and then changes to a beautifully orchestrated melody with sequenced backing. It mixes right into the next cut, "The Long March", a piano solo that takes some of the melody of the first cut and improvises on it in a neo-classical way. "The Little Fete" sounds like real chinoiserie, and is the type of thing that people either love or hate. It is a setting of an 8th century poem. It is orchestrated beautifully, but with out any guile or irony. Fans of new age music will eat this up, but electronic music fans that like edgier music will be jumping for the "next track" button on their remote.

"Himilaya" is a standout cut. It's a long piece that seems to reflect on the vastness of the Himilayas. Listeners that like some of Vangelis "spacier" music will love this cut. It is atmospheric, and uses washes of sound to evoke cold, windswept mountain spaces.

If you're interested in a real fusion of Chinese and western musics, this isn't it. But if you like the music of Vangelis, China is work from one of his creative peaks.

Vangelis

1/17/2004

Vangelis is one of the most acclaimed electronic musicians of all time. He has recorded a great variety of music over the last thirty years, won the academy award for musical score, composed hit songs, and written the scores for several ballets. Vangelis is best known for his music featured in the television show Cosmos, and his scores to movies. His scores include Chariots of Fire, The Bounty, and Blade Runner.

Synthtopia Reviews of Vangelis' Music

Vangelis - 1492 Conquest of Paradise

2/19/2004

Conquest of Paradise is a sumptious combination of orchestral electronica, folk melodies, choral vocals and renaissance influences.

Vangelis - Alexander Soundtrack

11/18/2004

Alexander, the soundtrack to the Oliver Stone biopic, features Vangelis at his best. It is a rousing score, a satisfying album, and a likely Oscar contender.

Vangelis - Beaubourg

12/7/2003

This is one of Vangelis' most daring and experimental pieces. Listeners that love Vangelis experimental side will love it, while listeners that like his new age side will be covering their ears.

Vangelis - Blade Runner

2/20/2004

Blade Runner is a science fiction classic, and it has a classic electronica score to go with it.

Vangelis - Chariots of Fire

1/18/2004

When Chariots of Fire was released in 1981, it came with a unique soundtrack by Vangelis. At that time, putting a soundtrack of electronic music on a period film was unheard of. The music worked, though, because of the simple, beautiful melodies and the way Vangelis used synthesizers in an orchestral way.

Vangelis - China

12/6/2003

If you're interested in a real fusion of Chinese and western musics, this isn't it. But if you like the music of Vangelis, China is work from one of his creative peaks.

Vangelis - Direct

1/17/2004

This 1988 Vangelis CD is a bridge between the symphonic electronica sound that Vangelis made popular in the eighties and is current, more dense orchestral sound. Direct is a mixture of electronica, new age, space music, and folk sounds, mixed together in the unique style of Vangelis.

Vangelis - Heaven and Hell

1/3/2004

This 1975 recording is the first time Vangelis fully realized his lush orchestral style. The music contrasts images of heaven and hell. After nearly 30 years, it holds up as a classic of electronic music.

Vangelis - Oceanic

4/18/2004

Oceanic is a collection of tone poems with Ocean themes. On this 1996 release, Vangelis creates a soothing 50 minute journey through deep oceanic spaces, sounding a bit like a Hearts of Space show. The new age music showcases his wonderful ear for melodies and lush synthetic orchestration, but does not have the edge or sense of experimentation that marks his best work.

Vangelis - Opera Sauvage

11/22/2003

Vangelis' Opera Sauvage is one of the classics of popular electronic music.

Vangelis - See You Later

1/3/2004

This CD is one of the strangest that Vangelis has ever created. The music is the soundtrack to a dystopian future, or maybe just the ugly side of the present. This cult record is not for the new age fans, but Blade Runner freaks and people who like the darker side of electronic music will find a lot to like.

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