Flomer, John

Artist: John Flomer
P: 1996
Intriguing, imaginative progressions contribute to the theatrical feel of this soundtrack-like concept album by sonic artist John Flomer. Grand themes with flowing melodies and dramatic rhythms that suddenly dissolve into dark, introspective orchestral movements and ambiences, teleport the listener to lands foreign yet strangely familiar.

Artist: John Flomer
P: 1999   
Dark and moody piano textures enchant, etherial symphonies of sound envelop, and pulses of rhythmic vibrations conjure intense visions in yet another ingenious Flomer creation. Piano, synths, and various symphonic embellishments are offered here in ten tracks ranging 3:20 to 6:59. Flomer has all the traits of Constance Demby, Tim Story, Vangelis, Peter Buffet, David Lanz, Roger Eno, and Harold Budd sprinkled everywhere in this deeply contemplative, moody, and misty meander. Flomer utilizes simple themes of relaxation balanced against evolving undercurrents of tension/release. Synth orchestrations can be Demby lush, Vangelis bombastic, or even W. Carlos/Nik Tyndall evocative. You will find only a few tracks of upbeat, rhythmic moments. Flomer is predominately a spartanly melodic, stair-climbing, onward progression-oriented composer. Begin simply, augment, improv over, build, then reverse the process. It works for most out there that love such relaxing aural journeys. Flomer does a fine job of putting all the elements seamlessly. This is music to disappear by, slowly, gently -- gone. What continues to amaze me, one piano/synth release after another, is how so very many continue to echo a pivotal 1980's release called The Waiting by Peter Buffet. Perhaps the piano and synth peformed in a that introspectively heady, New Agey mood must naturally evolve into similar scenarios. If you prefer your piano with emotive synth framing, then go with the Flomer flow.

Artist: John Flomer
P: 2002   
On his third release for Spotted Peccary, and his fourth overall, Flomer has outdone even his previous Night In The Vapor Jungle which itself was a masterful piece of cinematic symphonic electronic music. Flomer, in his compositions, has the keen ability to relay imagery through sound, going a step beyond the drama and force that such music carries, into areas that truly launch the imagination. Using a variety of synthesizer textures and voices, as well as synth based percussives (sampled?), his compositions carry a magnificent grandeur and shimmering beauty that is at once captivating and inspiring. The pieces tend to eschew some of the more typical trappings of EM (sequencers and such) and develop slowly through the layering of sounds, much as a classical composition would evolve. Sometimes gentle, sometimes powerful and commanding, lush textures drenched in atmospheric ambience typically underpin each piece, which may use a lighter voice (piano, voice or wind patches) to carry the melodies, although he has no set formulas, which keeps the compositions and arrangements full of suspense. While some of the pieces might be vaguely reminiscent of classic Vangelis, there are definitely a lot more surprises in Flomer's universe. Each of the ten pieces exists unto itself, yet - even if only superficially, becomes part of an overall concept theme based loosely around his stylisms. In summary, there is plenty herein to capture the imagination.

Artist: Various Artists
P: 2002
For more than fifteen years, the artists of Spotted Peccary have combined the modern timbres and textures of electronic and acoustic styles with some of the conventional structures of classical music to define a new and unique sound that embodies the essence of this vast land.
Now, award-winning videographer Bill Francis provides the perfect tableau of images to accompany an array of musical selections from the Spotted Peccary Music catalog.
Filmed on location in the wind carved canyons of Bryce Canyon National Park, the White Mountains of Arizona, the rugged coastline of Oregon, Antelope Island, the Great Salt Lake, and many other scenic locales from across the American West, Visions is an artistic fusion of stirring music and spectacular imagery.
Majestic landscapes, ancient ruins, and scenic wildlife are beautifully filmed and exquisitely edited to the music of Brain Laughter, Deborah Martin, Greg Klamt, Jon Jenkins, Mark Rownd, David Helpling, John Flomer, and others - all available for the first time on this special DVD collection.