Nearly eight years in the making, Phantoms builds on soundscapes by weaving organic sounds of non-Western stringed and percussion instruments and filtering those sounds through a rich melodic tapestry of warm and vaporous atmospheres. Fang’s subtly layered and continually evolving textures combine his Asian influences with his love of fractal algorithms that reflect the chaotic beauty of nature. The ambiences of Phantoms evoke a state of contemplation within a world in flux. The centerpiece of the album is a 23-minute ambient suite — “The Hallucinations of Hung Tung” — inspired by the otherworldly paintings of a Taiwanese fisherman and outsider artist. A very fine release full of great in-depth atmospheres that any fan of Robert Rich, David Parsons or Steve Roach should absorb.
