Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

I was recently at a gig when Mr Hociej pressed a copy of this CD into my hand, and very impressed I was when I got home and listened to it! Here are seven ambient instrumental tracks of varying lengths and styles. Sometimes the variation is all within one piece - "Look Forward" starts rhythmically, meanders into a brief soundscape and disappears in an enigmatic fashion after less than two minutes have elapsed. Very frustrating. "June" is more satisfying, drifting past like a hot summer's day whilst the lengthy "Prelude & Dreams", like everything here, allows John to build a concept piece that is excellently executed musically. On "There", it sounds as though John has succumbed to creating Test Card music but thankfully it's only a minor blip. My favourite is "Old School" which again is atmospheric, building from a broody quiet opening into a laid back rhythmic track - just gorgeous! He describes the concept of the CD as capturing musically a day he spent in Stanley Park in Vancouver and judging from this, one can only guess that John fell in love and it didn't work out. Like I said I'm only guessing! This is lovely music though.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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