James Johnson: Entering Twilight James Johnson: Entering Twilight (Hypnos - 2000) While there probably many thousands who share his name, in the ambient world there is only one James Johnson. Stepping away from his own Zero Music label, he joins the elite, ever-improving ranks of the Hypnos roster. For this special engagement, Johnson rolls out one long stream of electronic beauty, the 66.5-minute long Entering Twilight. Twinkling tones expand and drift, buoyed by a rising current of gossamer synth strands. Multiple lush layers entwine and softly swirl in big amorphous swells. Muted chimes are awash on a sea of faint angel-choir... all these elements simply levitate together seamlessly and without interruption. If I were the nit-picky type, I might have wished for a bit more evolution as the piece progressed, but it's all so gorgeous I shouldn't complain... Johnson has been a welcome listen in these parts for some time now. For past projects check out Surrender, Unity or his collab with ambient/space duo Ma Ja Le Live Under a Harvest Moon. James also spoke with us in an exclusive AmbiEntrance interview back in April 1999. Let these extended meditative atmospheres of unearthly serenity lift your tired spirit like a dandelion's little parachute seed... floating on a gently wafting journey through blue skies and puffy white clouds, ready to sprout in a new, better place when it lands. If you're seeking peacefulness and light, then Entering Twilight on James Johnson's ephemeral 9.0 soundwaves is the thing to do. This review posted August 30, 2000 AmbiEntrance © 2000-1997 by David J Opdyke (except CD cover art, rights retained by original owners).