OceanicFrontIntroduction

“Oceanic” is a studio album by Vangelis, his fifth album released on the EastWest-label after “The City” (1990), “1492 Conquest Of Paradise” (1992), “Blade Runner” (1994) and “Voices” (1995). Released on the 25th of October 1996, the album is a collection of melodic and romantic tracks inspired by the marine world of oceans, seas and beaches. As such it is often regarded as one of Vangelis’ most ‘new-age’ albums. In 1998 the album was nominated for a Grammy as Best New Age album, but it did not win the award.

To promote the album the single ‘Song Of The Seas’ / ‘Aquatic Dance’ was released on the 8th of November 1996, as well as a unique promotional 12” vinyl record picture disc of ‘Song Of The Seas’ in a limited print of 500 copies only. The single contains both a shorter edit and the full length version of ‘Song Of The Seas’. All tracks on the single are missing the beach sound effects heard on the album, which explains how the full length version on the single is shorter than the album version.

Vangelis was personally involved with the sleeve design, which uses imagery from the classic films “Footlight Parade” (1933) and “Million Dollar Mermaid” (1953). The album sleeve announced what was to become Vangelis’ official website www.vangelisworld.com, but for some time it only featured two simple pages before it was discommissioned.

 

OceanicCreditsTracklist and credits

  1. Bon Voyage (2:33)
  2. Sirens' Whispering (7:59)
  3. Dreams Of Surf (2:43)
  4. Spanish Harbour (6:42)
  5. Islands Of The Orient (7:24)
  6. Fields Of Coral (7:44)
  7. Aquatic Dance (3:44)
  8. Memories Of Blue (5:40)
  9. Song Of The Seas (6:12)

 

  • Composed, arranged, produced and performed by Vangelis.
  • Recorded and mixed by Philippe Colonna.
  • Assistant producer: Frederick Rousseau
  • Special thanks to: Frederick Rousseau, Philippe Colonna, John Martin, Andrew Hoy and Ian Lane.
  • Sleeve by Vangelis and Alwyn Clayden.

 

SongOfTheSeasFrontDiscography

CD

  • 1996 EastWest, released worldwide
  • 1996 EastWest AMCE-2056 Japan
  • 1996 EastWest 0630 16761 2 Taiwan
  • 1997 Atlantic 82953-2 US
  • 2015 EastWest WPCR-16318 Japan (Progressive Rock 1300 Collection) SHM-CD

CD single

12” single

  • 1996 Song Of The Seas (Full Length) / Sirens' Whispering / Dreams Of Surf (EastWest SAM 1946) UK (Limited edition promotional picture disc in transprent plastic sleeve with sticker) 500 copies.

 

Recording studio

The album notes do not specify where the music of “Oceanic” was recorded, but it was probably recorded in one of Vangelis’ home studios in Athens.

 

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