I think E&R was a tester to see what the market is for JMJ rarities. Despite the thawing of relations between JMJ and FDM, I still feel Jarre would prefer to deal with another label - one with bigger distribution.
This upcoming album has a lot riding on it, and it needs all the promo and distribution it can get. He hasn't had a bone-fide hit since Aero in 2004 (apart from T&T in France). 8 years is an age these days in the music business. Nowadays, the first weeks sales almost certainly determine the chart placing of an artist. The days of entering the chart at No. 71 and slowly rising up the chart to barely miss out on the top 10 are long gone for most - as happened in the UK chart with Equinoxe.
Despite opinion on chart placings being divisive, they are important. If you don't chart, you don't get noticed, you don't sell and you don't get record deals. Major distribution and good promo only happen with a good label behind you.
IMO a new album may be his last release via conventional means - CD - the age of the ephemeral download is here - like it or not, and any rarities would be released online only, to be played via the ubiquitous iPad etc. etc.
Concerts attended:
Destination Docklands 1988
Paris la Defense 1990
Europe in Concert - Wembley Stadium 1993
Oxygene Tour - Wembley Arena 1997
Theatre Marigny Paris 2007
Oxygene Tour - NCH Dublin 2008
2010 Tour - The 02 Dublin The 02 London (10-10-10)
Electronica Tour - 3Arena Dublin 2016