James Johnson: Linger James Johnson: Linger (Space For Music - 2000) Levitating himself into the upper eschelon of ambient soundscapers, James Johnson again creates extended atmospheres of amorphous soundwaves. Pristine shimmering loveliness will Linger in your environment. While these recordings sounds as if they were fussed over endlessly in a studio, they are in fact various live performances. Gorgeous! A little rain never hurt anyone, and it sets quite a mood for Linger; a steady downpour with accompanying cracks of thunder are visited by dreamily clanging bells, encroaching drones and occasional faraway animal life. Unfettered by weather conditions, Floating and Dreaming's longform synth breezes undulate in higher zones, sometimes revealing tiny patterns beneath. Ever so slowly, electrotribalized rhythms slip into the wispy epherema of Riding the Fog Line; I think this is the first instance I've heard of percussion in James' work and it's handled quite nicely... sputtering drums and cymbals propping up the lighter veils of floatation. The only piece not in the 12-to-14-minute range, Siren Song (6:17) offers more-straightforward piano explorations; resonant notes are spaciously applied, often allowed a generous amount of hang-time before vanishing beneath new tones. Faint synth swirls grace the backdrop. Assorted flowing layers of various viscosities slide amongst each other in Frequency Shift (13:56), rising skyward in everchanging, floaty drifts. Expect more of the heavenly ambient atmospheres James Johnson is known to unfurl. For one short hour, Linger dwells in shape-shifting realms of vastness, softness and transcendental lightness. Beauty for the ears and soul... an 9.0. Released as a DAM CD by Space For Music, or visit Johnson's own Zero Music site. This review posted April 30, 2001 AmbiEntrance © 2001-1997 by David J Opdyke (except CD cover art, rights retained by original owners).