Jean-Michel Jarre "AERO"

AERO (Anthology of Electronic Revisited Originals) is a 2004 compilation album of tracks by electronic musician and composer Jean-Michel Jarre, re-recorded in 5.1 surround sound plus three new tracks (one of which, the title track "Aero", is actually a rework of "Je Me Souviens", from Jarre's 2000 album Métamorphoses, using the same main melody but with no vocals) and a bonus live track. All tracks are sewn together through surround-sound "Scenes". It was released by Warner Music on September 2004.

The album includes a CD and a DVD; the DVD-Video features Dolby Digital and DTS audio, whereas the CD is in stereo, mixed to give a more spacious impression than usual.

On the release of AERO, Jarre commented that he had always envisioned his music in surround; with the advent of the DVD, he could finally release his music the way he wanted. He incorrectly claimed this to be the first recording specifically designed for 5.1 listening. Rings Around The World by the Super Furry Animals was released in 5.1 surround in 2001.

Jarre chose the DVD-Video format instead of the higher-quality DVD-Audio or SACD because he claimed that DVD-Video was the most widespread format, with the generalization of home cinema setups. However, DVD-Audio discs are normally authored to provide surround sound compatible with DVD-Video players.

The sleeve notes contain an introductory message by Jarre explaining how the included photos, sent in by fans from around the world, inspired his work. An extended 48-page version was sold exclusively through the Carrefour chain in France.

The images accompanying the music on the DVD show the eyes of Jarre's then girlfriend, French actress Anne Parillaud, listening to the music for the full length of the album. The eyes on the album cover are Jarre's own.

Track listing

The DVD contains "Scenes" as separate tracks, while on the CD they are part of the track after which they follow.

CD

1. "Aero Opening / Scene 1" – 0:50
2. "Oxygene 2 / Scene 2" – 7:41
3. "Aero" – 3:09
4. "Equinoxe 8" – 1:24
5. "Oxygene 4 / Scene 3" – 5:05
6. "Souvenir of China / Scene 4" – 4:46
7. "Aerology / Scene 5" – 3:40
8. "Equinoxe 3 / Scene 6" – 6:33
9. "Equinoxe 4 / Scene 7" – 6:46
10. "Last Rendez-Vous / Scene 8" – 5:08
11. "Zoolookology / Scene 9" – 3:54
12. "Aerozone / Scene 10" – 4:56
13. "Magnetic Fields 1 / Scene 11" – 5:59
14. "Chronology 6" – 4:55
15. "Rendez-Vous 4 (Live Version)" (hidden bonus track; featuring Safri Duo; recorded at the 2002 AERO concert) – 7:34

DVD

1. "Aero Opening" – 0:16
2. "Scene 1" – 0:33
3. "Oxygene 2" – 7:12
4. "Scene 2" – 0:31
5. "Aero" – 3:09
6. "Equinoxe 8" – 1:26
7. "Oxygene 4" – 4:16
8. "Scene 3" – 0:32
9. "Souvenir of China" – 4:13
10. "Scene 4" – 0:50
11. "Aerology" – 3:02
12. "Scene 5" – 0:37
13. "Equinoxe 3" – 6:08
14. "Scene 6" – 0:26
15. "Equinoxe 4" – 5:40
16. "Scene 7" – 1:06
17. "Last Rendez-Vous" – 4:41
18. "Scene 8" – 0:27
19. "Zoolookology" – 3:34
20. "Scene 9" – 0:12
21. "Aerozone" – 4:51
22. "Scene 10" – 0:16
23. "Magnetic Fields 1" – 5:42
24. "Scene 11" – 0:17
25. "Chronology 6" – 4:54
26. "Rendez-Vous 4 (Live Version)" – 7:35