BlahBlahCafe - Jean-Michel Jarre forum

Transversales Disques proudly presents the first official LP reissue of Deserted Palace, a studio album written and performed by Jean-Michel Jarre in 1972 during his time at G.R.M. (Groupe de Recherches Musicales).
In 1971, producer Francis Dreyfus was commissioned to create soundscapes for public spaces such as airports and libraries.
He entrusted the project to Jean-Michel, who had recently signed with his record company.
These fifteen tracks were crafted using just two synthesizers—the EMS VCS3 and the Farfisa organ—in an experimental and minimalistic style.

"It was a crazy album, totally homemade, with rhythms I created in my student room using minimal equipment. At the same time, I incorporated electronic sounds taken from the GRM when I would sneak into the studios at night, having stolen the keys.
It’s a pirate record in every sense of the word, foreshadowing what I would go on to create later."
Jean-Michel Jarre

LIMITED EDITION

AUDIO RESTORED & REMASTERED

Source:

Dadwater mastering?

I just read it in my mail! Wooohoo!

Robi83 wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 9:44 am Dadwater mastering?

Benjamin Joubert. according to the back of the record:

Will this get a digital as well as a physical release? Hope so!

Love the fact there is more being told about this album, such as how it was made, and JMJ's motivations too. I'd love to know how the track titles came about, such weird yet evocative names given to each track.

What a cool would be if an updated Bridge of Promises gets played on a tour!

Oh dream on, just dream on. Instead? Web Spinner.

Just made a digital download purchase and 5 tracks are already there, zip file on my computer!

Robi83 wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:21 am What a cool would be if an updated Bridge of Promises gets played on a tour!

Oh dream on, just dream on. Instead? Web Spinner.

Bridge of Promises would make a great opening sequence for his regular concert opener, The Opening, rather than the usual Oxygene 20 part.

Richard-Eastham wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:10 am Will this get a digital as well as a physical release? Hope so!

Love the fact there is more being told about this album, such as how it was made, and JMJ's motivations too. I'd love to know how the track titles came about, such weird yet evocative names given to each track.

Yes, you can buy the (limited edition) vinyl (and get a digital download) or you can buy the digital version which will come out on 2 may. Exciting!

Interesting last line: "AUDIO RESTORED & REMASTERED", especially the first part. Audio restored, what does that mean?

looks promising...

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR Peak RMS Filename
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DR14 -0.00 dB -20.94 dB Jean Michel Jarre - Deserted Palace (1972) - 01 Poltergeist Party.mp3
DR13 -0.00 dB -20.07 dB Jean Michel Jarre - Deserted Palace (1972) - 05 Bridge Of Promises.mp3
DR15 -0.47 dB -22.81 dB Jean Michel Jarre - Deserted Palace (1972) - 06 Exasperated Frog.mp3
DR16 -0.00 dB -22.93 dB Jean Michel Jarre - Deserted Palace (1972) - 07 Take Me To Your Leader.mp3
DR13 -0.00 dB -19.80 dB Jean Michel Jarre - Deserted Palace (1972) - 10 Wind Swept Canyon.mp3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Number of files: 5
Official DR value: DR14

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and the waveform:

"In 1971, producer Francis Dreyfus was commissioned to create soundscapes for public spaces such as airports and libraries. He entrusted the project to Jean-Michel, who had recently signed with his record company."

This is interesting. I didn't realise that Jarre's relationship with Dreyfus went back that far. I understood they first met one another in 1976 when Dreyfus took a risk on Oxygene after it had been rejected by many other record labels. I always got the sense from that anecdote that they were unknown to each other before Oxygene. This, and the fact that Deserted Palace was a Sam Fox/Synchros release, not a Motors/Dreyfus release.

But it is correct. Jarre was signed with Dreyfus at the time of Deserted Palace and this is referenced in this interview with Daniéle Feuillerat: https://jeanmicheljarre.es/?p=1786

Definitely not something I ever expected to happen. The tracks they've put out early sound pretty promising. Definitely an improvement over the sound quality of the DP tracks from the Rarities comp. No Dadwater mastering on this one earns it some extra points as well. Looking forward to hearing the whole thing.

Dr_Jones wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:07 am

Back of the sleeve also mentions Iraqi Hitch-Miker as side B, track 3 though ...

Robi83 wrote: Wed Mar 26, 2025 10:21 am What a cool would be if an updated Bridge of Promises gets played on a tour!

Oh dream on, just dream on. Instead? Web Spinner.

I think he could remix one of the Deserted Palace track to sound more modern for a 21st century audience.