APHRODITE'S CHILD Schallplatten & CDs

Review: If the name Vangelis conjures images of new age music or the overplayed 'Chariots of Fire', you might be surprised by his earlier work. Before his solo fame, Vangelis was a member of Aphrodite's Child, a rock band from the late 60s to early 70s. While the band was based in France due to political unrest in Greece, they produced music far removed from Vangelis's later style. Another well-known member was Demis Roussos, who also had a later solo career. Initially, Aphrodite's Child released two psychedelic pop albums, Rain and Tears and It's Five O'Clock, reminiscent of Genesis' early work on From Genesis to Revelation. 666 marked a significant shift toward progressive rock, blending Greek ethnic influences with experimental sounds. Highlights include 'Loud, Loud, Loud,' featuring a spoken word piece by a young Greek diplomat's son, and 'All the Seats Were Occupied,' a lengthy jam that samples the album's other tracks. The notorious, untitled track featuring actress Irene Papas caused discomfort at their label, but it solidified the album's status as a groundbreaking work in progressive rock. Despite the musicians' later mainstream personas, 666 remains a bold and innovative album.