In 1993 many young music fans like myself were ensconced in the burgeoning dance scene where a number of artists cited Jarre as an influence. Rather than hang up his patch cables and cede to the next generation, Jean-Michel chose to jump in and create electronic dance music of his own. As a progenitor the French maestro clearly understood the genre and was able to match himself to the confections of the day. For existing fans of his work who had also felt the draw of dance music, this album was manna from heaven.
I own three copies of this record. The first I bought five years ago when the vinyl was relatively rare and I ended up paying more than I should have. I think the price was also elevated because this copy has stickers indicating it was a promotional copy, but it is essentially just the standard European release. When the vinyl was re-released in 2018, prices of the original plummeted and I bought a second copy for a few pounds simply because I couldn't stand to see it being ignored. The third copy is the re-released version which has a different back cover and Anglicised spelling.
The ten minute opus "Part 1" that begins this record is split into two movements. The first part opens with a bass drum mimicking the sound of a heartbeat and slowly develops into a magnificent theme with showers of special effects and kettle drums. The second movement begins at around six and a half minutes and blossoms into another grandiose soundscape that is full of atmosphere.
Ticking clocks begin to permeate as we segue into "Part 2" and its rather raucous melody. Interestingly this track recycles the past by sampling one of Jarre's earlier works "Erosmachine" and using some of the effects first featured on "Fourth Rendez Vous" - this is a concept album about time after all.
"Part 3" is a beautiful and haunting theme played over a wonderful string arrangement. The only thing that detracts from the beauty of this piece is the dreadful guitar solo that doesn't belong anywhere near a Jean Michel Jarre record.
Side two opens with one of the standout pieces "Part 4" in which a Roland "Rubber Bass" preset grinds away under a soaring melody and TR-909 dance beats. "Part 5" is split into two movements and initially allows us time to cool down before launching into a very nineties sounding dance track.
For me "Part 6" is the best song on this album as it has a mesmerising bass sequence and a beautiful melody. In fact this track probably vies with "Magnetic Fields Part IV" as my favourite Jarre track; I highly recommend it. Once again we segue into the next track which is a more abstract soundscape which merely acts as a conduit to the final piece "Part 8". Dramatic organ sounds from the Roland JD-800 provide a strange introduction to a song that is built around a rap rhythm and a melody played out on brass. As the song ends the heartbeat returns and we have come full circle.
For many, "Chronologie" is the last great Jarre album. Some argue that he would never again create something that was so forward thinking and innovative. From this point on Jarre's work seemed to always be harking back to the past and by the time he snapped out of it and attempted something contemporary again, we ended up with the car crash that is "Téo & Téa". I went to see Jarre perform live for the first time during the tour that accompanied this album and it was a fantastic experience. I have great memories of the concert and this album will always be special to me. 5/5
