Équinoxe

Équinoxe (English: "equinox") is an album by French musician Jean Michel Jarre, released on Disques Dreyfus (with license to Polydor) in December 1978.

Parts 1 to 4 (i.e. side A) and tracks 5 to 8 (side B) segue smoothly from one to the next.

Jarre had developed his sound, employing more dynamic and rhythmic elements, particularly a greater use of sequencing on basslines. Much of this was achieved using custom equipment developed by his collaborator Michel Geiss.

The album reached number 11 on the UK Album Chart and number 126 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

During the 1980s, "Équinoxe Part 4" was used in the opening credits of the TVNZ documentary series Our World.

Release and promotion

Two singles were released from the album, "Équinoxe Part 5" first, and then "Équinoxe Part 4". The short piece of music at the beginning of "Équinoxe Part 8" has been played live with different arrangements, including a version for an acoustic street organ, under the title of "Band in the Rain".

The release was followed by a concert on the Place de la Concorde, Paris on 14 July 1979. The concert attracted 1 million people, becoming Jarre's first entry in the Guinness Book of Records for the largest crowd for an outdoor concert.