Jean-Michel Jarre Announces 50th Anniversary Edition Of Oxygene
Electronic music pioneer Jean-Michel Jarre is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Oxygene, the landmark electronic album he composed and recorded in his Paris home studio in 1976, using an eight-track tape machine, homemade mixing desk and a small collection of synths and drum machines, that went on to be the best-selling instrumental electronic music album of all time, and turned him into a global electronic music superstar.
The anniversary edition is bolstered by a stereo remaster, along with a Dolby Atmos version for the first time, that was mixed by David Kosten, Steven Wilson and Jarre himself.
Originally released in France in 1976, and in the rest of the world a year later in 1977, Oxygene helped establish Jarre as a major figure in electronic music.
“When I created Oxygene, I was working directly with analogue instruments and tape, and the sound had a particular depth, movement and life of its own. “For this anniversary edition, we returned to the original tapes with the aim of preserving that character rather than changing it.
“Of all the masters of OXYGENE that have been produced over the years, I believe this new remaster is the most true to what I originally created in 1976.”
The Oxygene 50th Anniversary Edition is scheduled for release on November 20, 2026. It’s available to pre-order via Amazon, and limited-edition versions are available via Jarre’s site.
And, Jarre has a book on the way, too. Machines: A History of Electronic Music will be released on 24 November via Amazon.
Prior to the album’s release, on 20 November, Jarre will appear as guest of honour at the Amsterdam Dance Event on 21 October. He’ll not only be performing there, but also speaking on the history of electronic music and its future in the age of AI.
