Vangelis
“If he’d done nothing else, there’s one album that ensured vangelis should be regarded as a prog icon, and that’s 666 from aphrodite’s Child. it is a work of genius, and anyone who doesn’t know it should go and listen now.
“But his brilliance goes beyond just this album. throughout his solo career, vangelis has shown a remarkable ability to use state of the art technology and make it work in an artistic manner. He is a master of being right up to date with everything that’s happening in the technological world and adapting it to suit his music. Has there ever been anyone better at working with synthesisers? i’d say he is in a class of his own.
“sadly, he often gets overlooked by prog fans. But if you check out his solo albums, like earth, albedo 0.39 or spiral, there’s so much going on, across the musical spectrum. He introduces a jazzy feel, for instance, and makes this seem so natural to what he’s doing. it’s no wonder that Jon anderson wanted him to replace rick Wakeman in yes!
“anybody who disputes vangelis’ right to be regarded as a prog icon should immediately get hold of any of those solo albums i just mentioned – that will convince you he was groundbreaking.”