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Personnel: Jean-Michel Jarre (keyboards, synthesizer). Recording information: Coral SOund Studio, Port of Spain, Republic of Trinidad. The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau has been one of television's most celebrated programs of all time. Jean Michel Jarre, a countryman of Jacques Cousteau's, composed and performed an e-music opus in honor of the oceanographer. En Attendant Cousteau (aka Waiting for Cousteau) is a departure from Jarre's usual format. This disc has three tracks that are longer than his normal tracks. (They are between six and nine minutes.) The fourth track is a major work, clocking in at 47 minutes. That track, "En Attendant Cousteau," is an epic minimalist creation. This is groundbreaking stuff, an unusual mode for Jarre, who hasn't gone this far out on a limb since his debut in 1976. It is a worthy risk. The atmospheric minimalism of the title track is deep and substantial. This is a great CD, certainly one of Jarre's top three. It will appeal to fans of Robert Scott Thompson, Jeff Pearce, James Johnson, and Mychael Danna. (Interestingly, Paul Nagle created a tongue-in-cheek tribute to this album and Jarre by recording Waiting for Clouseau in the late '90s. Nagle's album is humorous and enjoyable.) ~ Jim Brenholts
