Essentials & Rarities cover

Essentials & Rarities

Jean-Michel Jarre · 2011

122 min · 31 tracks · ambient

An ethereal journey through experimental soundscapes that meld electronic innovation with emotional depth.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic exploration of soundscapes
  • wave-like pacing for deep listening
  • ethereal journey through emotions
  • varied track lengths for surprises
  • ideal for reflective solitude

Maybe skip if you want

  • seeking instant gratification
  • prefer straightforward song structures

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Deep Cut — A compilation that showcases Jarre's career but isn't a primary entry point.
Themes
cinematic soundscapes· electronic innovation· global musical influences
Career context
By the time 'Essentials & Rarities' was released in 2011, Jean-Michel Jarre had firmly established himself as a pioneer of electronic music, with a career spanning over four decades. This compilation comes after his 2007 album 'Téo & Téa' and highlights key pieces from his expansive discography, showcasing both well-known tracks and rare gems.
Stylistic neighbors
Vangelis· Klaus Schulze· Tangerine Dream
If this clicks, go next to
Electronica 2: The Heart of Noise — Continues the exploration of innovative soundscapes with fresh collaborations.
Sounds like this from elsewhere
Ambient 1: Music for Airports by Brian Eno — Shares a cinematic quality with spacious soundscapes and innovative electronic textures.
Play by Moby — Combines emotional depth with electronic elements, creating an immersive auditory experience.
Dive by Tycho — Explores ethereal soundscapes and ambient textures that evoke a similar emotional resonance.

Tracklist

New here? Start with "Souvenir of China".

Disc 1

  • 1 Souvenir of China Start here 4:00
  • 2 Oxygène 2 3:14
  • 3 Arpegiateur 6:16
  • 4 Oxygène 4 4:15
  • 5 Équinoxe 4 6:41
  • 6 Calypso 2 2:29
  • 7 Zoolook 3:53
  • 8 Magnetic Fields 1 5:21
  • 9 Magnetic Fields 2 4:01
  • 10 Équinoxe 5 3:55
  • 11 Industrial Revolution 2 2:22
  • 12 Rendez-vous 4 4:00
  • 13 Gloria, Lonely Boy 5:30
  • 14 Oxygène 6 6:20
  • 15 Space of Freedom "March 23" 8:02

Disc 2

  • 1 Happiness Is a Sad Song 5:53
  • 2 Hypnose 3:29
  • 3 Erosmachine 2:58
  • 4 La Cage 3:23
  • 5 Chanson des granges brûlées / Song of the Burnt Barns 2:45
  • 6 Windswept Canyon 7:40
  • 7 The Abominable Snowman 0:53
  • 8 Deserted Palace 2:22
  • 9 Le Pays de Rose / Roseland 2:02
  • 10 Rain Forest (rap session) 1:40
  • 11 Black Bird 3:07
  • 12 Music Box Concerto 2:41
  • 13 Iraqi Hitch-Hiker 2:25
  • 14 Les Granges Brûlées / Burnt Barns 3:14
  • 15 La Cage (Vitalic remix) 4:17
  • 16 Erosmachine (Vitalic remix) 3:45

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata