Search - John Flomer :: Night in Vapor Jungle

Jako K. (jako) from WAUKEGAN, IL
Reviewed on 11/5/2013...

Awesome! Dream music for the Theater of the Mind.
5 Stares *****

Warm, dense, lush melodic ambient soundscapes

Bill Binkelman, Wind and Wire | Minneapolis, MN United States | 11/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Flomer has crafted an album filled to overflowing with imagination and artistry. Utilizing a variety of keyboards, but especially piano, as well as lush synth choruses and subtle percussion, Night in the Vapor Jungle is unlike any other ambient album of recent memory. It's warm yet mysterious, as opposed to dark and brooding. The music is melodic and accessible, but is not traditionally structured (hence I refer to it as ambient). Many of the songs are low key, but there are some moments of drama and the album is not without some crescendoes. Overall, this is a CD to play when the room is quiet so you can completely absorb the atmospheric soundscapes and fully appreciate the many layers of music that John has fashioned. Since John's trademark sound features unique time signatures, each song goes through more than a few changes on its way to the conclusion. In that way, the album holds up particularly well to repeated listenings.Unlike the more drifting ambient recordings of label mates Mark Rownd and Debra Martin, Night in the Vapor Jungle is closer to the work of fellow Peccary David Helpling (although nowhere near as rhythmic). However, in the end, no one sounds anything like John Flomer. Truly a unique artist and one that deserves more recognition than he currently enjoys."

Nice, flowing new age vibes

K. N. Nelson | California, USA | 12/20/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Song #1 Ori' Arian is whispery, thrilling and quite gorgeous. This CD showcases John's tremendous talent as a pianist and synthesist and reveals his ability to create both mood and color in his songwriting, especially on the imaginative "The goldfish pool". There is a lovely, sad ambience on "Weeping Cavern" that evokes the feeling of being deep in a magical underground cavern where stalagtites and stalagmites ooze and drip endless cadence into icy, serpentine ribbons that slowly seep toward bottomless, glassine pools. This song creates shivvers and a sense of wonderment which is testament to Flomer's skills in creating "visual" music. Song #6 "Through the veil" is a high energy, powerful composition that literally pushes the mood away from the melancholic. Song #7 is very dramatic and commanding in a way that focuses one's attention on the meaning of time in our lives. The message is underscored by an unobtrusive, yet clearly present reminder with his use of a plucked string instrument to suggest time ticking away into "Centuries". Overall, it is a very nicely done album that is pleasing as background or journey music."