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A Thin Silence
Artist: Jeff Johnson
Label: Ark Music
Length: 11 tracks / 45:46
While some musicians lose inspiration as they get older, others - like Johnson - seem to learn with each release and make better music, as his Vespers release bears out.
Inspired by the story of Elijah hearing God speak in the stillness, this disc offers a spiritual chillout.
Its whole mood is like a stripped-down version of his early collaborations with Irish flautist Brian Dunning, even down to the way this instrumental album is closed by a single vocal prayer (although some find this disappointing as it breaks the mood).
It is hard to know whether melody, atmosphere, sense of space or use of the dynamic range is the strongest of Johnson's talents. All through this excellent release he sets high piano notes against reverberating low tones, leaving them to bathe in plenty of space.
On "Angel of the Dawn" slow piano arpeggios saunter over a low rumble, joined by Johnson's trademark reedy synth tone and a percussion tick that seems to come from somewhere else in the room.
In its fragile beauty, it is not far from the feel of Brian Eno's Music for Airports, but with far more warmth and heart.
This is top-rate minimalism that blows away the chaff of unnecessary noise, while keeping the melodies intact. It aims to be music for meditation, but fully stands up to listening for its own sake.
Derek Walker
