James Johnson :: Environment 5 (Voices)
Track Listing Environment 5
Audio in MP3 format |
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The 5th environment takes the self-generating music approach a bit futher, yet it's feel is more musical than past environment works in the series. The slow languid tones of James' signature piano voicing intertwine with pastoral washes of ambience and acoustic guitar. Perfect for slowing down the day.
Reviews:
"When I first heard that Environments 5 (Cube 4) would be called "Voices," I expected something along the lines of Brian Eno's composition "1/2" from "Music For Airports," or the title track from Ashera's "Colour Glow."
However, James Johnson titled his work literally; this piece features "voices," not "vocals." The voices represent what the human voice means to a newborn child: warmth, safety, the opportunity to "let go" since family is in the next room. The voices do not startle or awaken; rather, they lull the listener into his or her "safe space."
The "safety of home" sound is reinforced by simple, looped, acoustic guitar patterns, as synth patches probe into the forefront like morning sunlight peeping through a curtained window.
The "lulling" effect of "Environments 5" is so pronounced that the record is over long before I anticipate it ending, although it runs for almost an hour. Even our Asian singer friend from Cubes 2 and 3 drops by to pay a house call.
If the aim of the "Environments" series is to expand interior space, "Environments 5 succeeds magnificently, as the interior space known as "home" expands to the point of full mobility. We can take it along to work, or wherever else we may journey. Just bring "Environments 5" with you and you've got Instant Home.
And as we all know so well, there's no place like home." |
