China

Introduction

Halfway 1978 Nemo Studios was in need of a technical upgrade, and Vangelis invested over a 100,000 pounds in the studio to purchase a new tape machine, mixing desk and other equipment. At the same time Vangelis was open for a new record contract, as with his previous album “Beaubourg” (1978) he had fulfilled his agreement with RCA Records.

“China”, released in April 1979, is the first album of Vangelis published on the Polydor label, and being recorded at the end of 1978, also the first music that greatly benefited from the technical make-over of the studio. The album is inspired by Chinese culture, history and music, and Vangelis used a mixture of electronic and Chinese instruments on the album.

As part of the new record deal Polydor heavily promoted the release of China, not only with advertisements in magazines but also with the creation of a unique promotional film showing Vangelis recording China in his studio, as well as the release a 7” single. The single ‘The Long March’ b/w ‘The Long March Part II’ includes a non-album track with the children of the Orleans Infant School of Twickenham, for which the proceeds were donated to the UNICEF charity. Furthermore, the promotion of China saw Vangelis to return to the stage, performing three concerts in London (at the Drury Lane theatre on the 28th of April), Brussels (at the Cirque Royale on the 17th of May) and Paris (at the Pavillon De Paris on the 19th of June).

Polydor really went out of their way to promote China, as is illustrated by the release of a limited promotional LP, which includes a gatefold cover that incorporates a large booklet with liner notes and unique photos. For images of the booklet see the gallery below.

Several tracks from China have been used as a score for television commercials, such ‘The Little Fete’, which Vangelis re-edited for director Ridley Scott to use in his famous “Share The Fantasy” advertisement for Chanel No. 5 perfume. Another commercial is the “Lincoln-Mercury Lynx” tv ad which uses ‘The Long March’. American astronomer Carl Sagan liked to use Vangelis’ music as a score in his popular science television series “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage” (1980), among others ‘The Little Fete’ and ‘Himalaya’ from China.

In 2017 China received a re-release which was personally remastered by Vangelis. Due to some added reverb this version is a different listening experience compared to the original release, but overall this is the recommended version to find if in need of a copy of the album.

Tracklist and credits

Chung Kuo (1:43)
The Long March (5:50)
The Dragon (4:06)
The Plum Blossom (2:30)
The Tao Of Love (2:40)
The Little Fete (2:57)
Yin & Yang (5:46)
Himalaya (10:35)
Summit (4:45)

Composed, arranged, performed and produced by Vangelis.
Violin on ‘The Plum Blossom’ by Michel Ripoche.
Text on ‘The Little Fete’ translated by J.C. Cooper from her book “Taoism”, recited by Yeung Hak-Fun and Koon Fook Man.
Sound engineers: Keith Spencer-Allen, Raphael Preston and Andy Hendriksen.
Sleeve design by Vangelis.
Photography by Veronique Skawinska.

Discography

1979 Polydor, released worldwide.
1979 Polydor (promotional, includes exclusive booklet in gatefold sleeve with liner notes and unique photos)
Polydor POLD 5018 (re-issue ’Limited Edition Special Price’) has Vangelis signature etched in the run-out of the vinyl record.

Polydor, released worldwide.
1983 Polydor 813 653-2 West-Germany
1989 Polydor P22P 20304 Japan
1994 Polydor 813 653-2 US and Canada.
1999 Polydor 813 653-2 Argentina
2017 UMC 478 940-2 Europe (remastered by Vangelis)
2021 Polydor UICY-79704 Japan (Limited Edition)

7” single

1979 The Long March / The Long March (Part II) Polydor 2001 888 UK, West-Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France.
1979 The Long March / Chung Kuo (Polydor 2814 149) France (promotional)
1979 The Tao Of Love / The Dragon (Polydor 2002 100) Australia

Recording studio

The album China was recorded in 1978 in Vangelis’ Nemo Studios in London.

More

Michel Ripoche is the violinist who also worked with Vangelis on the Aphrodite’s Child “666” and Vangelis' “Fais Que Ton Rêve Soit Plus Long Que La Nuit” (1972) concept albums, as well as the albums "China" (1979) and "See You Later" (1980).
Vangelis voice can be heard on the track ‘The Little Fete’, near the end: “and my shadow ... follows me”.
The album sleeve was designed by Vangelis based on photos taken by his then partner Veronique Skawinska. The photos are blurred images of Vangelis swimming in the pool of the Hilton hotel in Athens.
The CD issue of the album incorrectly lists the lengths of the first two tracks as 5:31 and 2:01.

Links

Gallery

Promotional LP