One record at a time: 433. Vangelis - Spiral

"Spiral" from 1977 is notable as it saw the introduction of two important elements in the music of Vangelis: the sequencer and the Yamaha CS-80. In fact the CS-80 became so influential that Vangelis would describe it as the most important synthesizer in his career. "Spiral" is also one of few Vangelis albums that sounds truly electronic. Much of the Greek maestro's early work uses electro-acoustic instruments and his later efforts revolved around orchestral sounds. "Spiral" seems to have hit a sweet spot in which synthesizers were used to innovate rather than imitate.

My copy of this record is a UK first pressing that is housed in a nice gatefold sleeve with an embossed inner. The disc itself has no flaws and displays a quality of workmanship that you just don't see in modern records - even if it does smell like it has been kept in a damp cellar for ten years.

The title track serves as a remarkable opener and stands out as the album's highlight. Vangelis creates various sequencer driven arpeggios and burbling synth noises before introducing a grand melody that builds into a crescendo. The second track "Ballad" is also hugely enjoyable and one of very few occasions in which Vangelis's vocals (albeit highly processed) appear in his music. The third track "Dervish D." starts well but descends into 12 bar blues with jazz licks on the Rhodes piano. Happily the driving synth arpeggios manage to dilute the less palatable parts of the composition and we end up with quite a good track. 

On the second side of the disc the track "To The Unknown Man" has a strong melody and the whole piece evolves into the most amazing crescendo. The closing track, "3 + 3" is another sequencer driven effort that sounds like an uplifting counterpart to the title track. Whilst both of the songs on the b-side are over nine minutes long, Vangelis continually introduces new ideas and arrangements that serve to maintain the listener's interest. 

Even though this record ranks amongst Vangelis's very best, it has never appealed to me in quite the same way as the work of his contemporaries did. I think this is because Vangelis has a tendency to borrow from jazz, blues and rock music. Even with Vangelis at his most electronic, I occasionally feel like I am hearing something hackneyed - it's just that it is being played on electronic instruments instead of traditional ones. 3/5