Verner, J. Arif

Artist: Deborah Martin + J. Arif Verner
P: 2007
Two artists known for their mastery of subtlety and the essence of understatement come together to create a haunting work that blurs the line lying somewhere between darkness and light; between apprehension and calm. Ambient textures of synth and guitar set the stage while occasionally haunting and beautiful Latin vocal phrases act as a beacon that guides the way through the dark and mysterious depths of the soul. Peaceful and yet powerful, Anno Domini lead us through doorways deep within ourselves that have long since been forgotten.

Artist: J. Arif Verner
P: 1996
From the Spotted Peccary Label, one would expect an ambient/tribal sound. Verner moves away from the tribal aspect and gives a quality "Hearts of Space"-style space music effort. Bravo!! Because of his use of MIDI guitar, some passages sound like the works of Jeff Pearce. However, Verner's synthesizer and the use of many more layers of sound give this work a step up on Pearce's compositions. Wonderful addition to any space music fan's library. If you like Char-El, Meg Bowles, or Jeff Pearce, you'll like this CD. A fine work to relax by, especially under the stars.

Here the last copy!

Artist: J. Arif Verner
P: 2005
Using sound as color and space as texture, J. Arif Verner paints a scenery that is vast and expansive, where acoustic and electronic instruments seamlessly intertwine and floating atmospheres melt into dynamic, pulsing rhythmic images. Verner, joined by virtuoso percussionists Mar Gueye and Jeff Haynes, has sculpted music that feeds the soul and replenishes the body. A powerful mix of blended electronic and acoustic space/ambient music.
Mellow music for a soft Autumn's afternoon. Sit back, relax, reflect....

Artist: J. Arif Verner
P: 2000
J. Arif Verner does indeed travel the spaceways in his follow-up to A Vision Beyond Light. He traverses a drone zone that's more crystalline than dark, with melodies that wash up like random ripples on the sand of a wave-lapped seashore. Only the title track, with its tribal percussion, rises up to the level of groove. Verner brings some interesting touches to his slipstream: a shofar's horn announces "The Calling" and acoustic guitars are set in bas-relief on "Within the Portals." Zither player Laraaji appears on two vaporous tracks that are based around his echo-delayed ostinatos (a short, repeated phrase). Triggering many of his electronic sounds with a guitar synthesizer, Verner has a natural arc to his melodies. There are many New Age synthesists working with the same materials as J. Arif Verner, but in his hands, it sounds less clichéd. He doesn't extend the form, but he brings a craftsman's hand to it that's often lacking elsewhere.

Artist: V/A
P: 2001
A collection of ambient and textural pieces from previous releases by David Helpling, Deborah Martin, Jon Jenkins, Mark Rownd, and J. Arif Verner.