moon safari

Air floated the futuristic retro vibes of this atmospheric ambient electronic lunar landing into a chillout classic.  The name of the group is an acronym for "Amour, Imagination, Rêve" which translates to "love, imgination, dream".  It was started by Nicolas Godin while he was studying architecture at the École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Versailles.  He recorded a single called 'Modular Mix' for a compilation on the French independent label Source.  After that modest success, he recruited his friend Jean‑Benoît Dunckel, a classically trained pianist who was studying math and physics in Paris.  They recorded a series of maxi-singles using vintage instruments.  Godin says:  “We had no money at this time, so we bought the most affordable instruments available: analogue synths from the ’70s. We completely missed the ’80s/’90s ‘digital synth’ period, in fact. So it’s true we had a very personal sound, but it was by default.”

Source gave them the go ahead to record an entire album in 1997 and they began working on basic tracks at Studio de Saint‑Nom near Paris with engineer Stéphane ‘Alf’ Briat.  They did some more recording at Gang Studios in Paris before heading to London to record strings at Abbey Road with David Whitaker.  The sessions featured Jean-Benoît Dunckel on keyboards, synths, organ, vocals, piano, pan pipes, hand claps, and glockenspiel; and Nicolas Godin on bass, synths, percussion, vocals, guitar, hand claps, harmonica, glockenspiel, piano, organ, pan pipes, and drums; with vocals by Beth Hirsch and Enfants square Burcq; hand claps by Alf (a.k.a. Stephane Briat) and Caroline L.; drums by Marlon; organ by Eric Regert; and guitar and tuba by P. Woodcock.  

The smooth and stylish electronica of 'Moon Safari' was embraced by critics and launched the band to fifty-six in Germany; fifty-two in Sweden; forty-eight in Belgium; forty-six in Switzerland; forty-one on the US top heatseekers chart; thirty-four in New Zealand; twenty-seven in the Netherlands; twenty-four in Australia; twenty-one in France; twenty in Austria; thirteen in Norway; seven in Ireland; and number six in the UK.  It has sold more than three million copies worldwide.  










    "La femme d'argent" 




    "Sexy Boy" 

Sexy Boy from Air aircheology on Vimeo.






    "Kelly, Watch the Stars!" 







    "You Make It Easy" 



    "Ce matin-là" 







    "Le voyage de Pénélope" 









'Moon Safari' 
full album:

 




All tracks written by Air, except where noted.


1. "La femme d'argent"   The Silver Woman/The Money Girl 7:10
2. "Sexy Boy"   4:57
3. "All I Need"   lyrics by Beth Hirsch 4:28
4. "Kelly, Watch the Stars"   3:44
5. "Talisman"   4:16
6. "Remember"   co-written with Jean-Jacques Perrey 2:34
7. "You Make It Easy"   lyrics by Hirsch 4:00
8. "Ce matin là"   co-written with Patrick Woodcock That Morning 3:38
9. "New Star in the Sky (Chanson pour Solal)"   Song for Solal 5:38
10. "Le voyage de Pénélope"   Penelope's Voyage 3:10