📀 Album Details

* Artist: Jon & Vangelis

* Members: Jon Anderson & Vangelis

* Title: The Best of Jon & Vangelis

* Release: 1984 (Polydor)

* Genre: Electronic / Pop-Rock / Progressive

* Length: ~50 minutes

This CD is a compilation album drawing from the duo’s first three studio releases (Short Stories, The Friends of Mr. Cairo, Private Collection).

🎼 Music Style & Sound

The album showcases the duo’s distinctive blend of:

* Lush synth-driven soundscapes from Vangelis

* Spiritual, melodic vocals and lyrics from Jon Anderson

* A mix of progressive rock, electronic, and ambient pop

It’s often described as a dreamy, cinematic listening experience, balancing radio-friendly singles with longer, more experimental pieces.

🎵 Key Tracks

Highlights on the CD include:

* “I’ll Find My Way Home” – their biggest hit single

* “State of Independence” (single edit) – later famously covered by Donna Summer

* “The Friends of Mr. Cairo” – epic, film-noir-inspired suite

* “I Hear You Now” – early chart success

* “He Is Sailing” – atmospheric and melodic

Some tracks appear in shorter single edits, making this a concise, accessible collection.

⭐ Overall Impression

* ✔ Excellent introduction to the Jon & Vangelis partnership

* ✔ Strong balance of hits and deeper progressive material

* ✔ Appeals to fans of 80s electronic and melodic prog

While not exhaustive, it’s widely regarded as a very entertaining and well-curated sampler of their work.

💿 Collectability

* Common on CD (multiple pressings, including early West German issues)

* Typically affordable compared to rarer Vangelis titles

* Early pressings and clean copies are still desirable for collectors

📌 Bottom Line

A solid “best of” compilation—ideal if you want the essence of Jon & Vangelis without collecting all three original albums. It leans slightly toward their more accessible material but still retains their unique, atmospheric style.