it's the most beautiful c.d. i've ever heard

If I could own only one C.D. this is what I would choose. I lost my first copy and I almost cried. Everyone should hear this wonderful music at least once.

Premiering

Since "Premiers Symptomes" means "first symptoms," it's appropriate that it's the name of Air's collection of early singles, before they hit the big time with "Moon Safari." In this EP, the French duo created a warm, sensual sweep of electronica, lounge and pop music.



"Modular Mix" kicks it off -- a dreamy song that sounds like the soundtrack for an underwater movie. It's a beautiful, smooth, self-assured sound. On the other hand, we get a different vibe after that: "Casanova 70" and the languid "Les Professionals" add a lounge-y sound. And "J'Ai Dormi Sous L'Eau" and "Le Soleil Est Près de Moi" are sweet and slow , almost like a pair of trip-hop lullabies.



"Premiers Symptomes" was compiled of singles released before the hit "Moon Safari," and so it has something of the same dreamy feeling. It's all too short an EP, but it's worth it to get the the romantic blend of ambient, trip-hop, funk and a hint of 60s psychedelic pop -- in a word, sensual chillout music.



Songs like "Modular Mix" have layers upon layers of shimmering keyboard. But "Casanova 70" and "J'ai Dormi Sous L'Eau" favor a more jazzy sound, with synthesized horns behind some twittery synths. On the other hand, the spacey beats of "Les Professionals" sounds like a rainy morning over an alien city. Here we get a good look at all of Air's musical abilities, and the different sounds they would later experiment with in their full-length albums.



"Premiers Symptomes" is a must-have for Air fans, although newbies had better start with something else. Despite the earliness of this work, it's obvious that Air already knew what they were doing.

the dawn of a new era

their first singles...some music arstists would be happy if they could reach this perfection after 4 or 5 major label recordings, thats for sure !