JHNO
Membrane (Delicate Ear)
Reviewed by DJ Johnson

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The last JHNO album didn't do much for me, as I recall. This one jumped right on me. The difference? Real instruments! On an electronic music album! In a genre that rarely embraces acoustic drums, pianos or... well, acoustic anything, this really is the proverbial breath of fresh air. The keyboardist (JHNO is the name, pronounce it as you see fit) always did have a strong knack for ethereal, cerebral musical imagery, but a reverbed Fender Rhodes electric piano has a warmth, a human touch that makes a piece like "Unlimited" seep into the circuitry of your mind and allows you to relate to it. There are still plenty of synthesizer tracks all over Membrane, however, and even a few of those come across mighty warm, thanks to the presence of drummer Bryan Bowman. All in all, Membrane is a damned fine mix of electronics and acoustics, trance drones and jungle beats, and the artistic vision of Juno... Jahuno... John-O? Well, whatever his name is, I love what he's done here.

© 2000 - DJ Johnson