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Reviews

Vir Unis — The Drift Inside
(GreenHouse GHM.99.02, 1999, CD)

by Mike McLatchey, Published 2000-05-01

The Drift Inside Cover art

Following on the heels of The Ambient Expanse, the first solo effort by Vir Unis, after collaborations with Steve Roach and Ma Ja Le, consists entirely of ambient floats and drifts, putting aside the “fractal grooves” of Body Electric. Naturally, the closest similarity would be with co-producer Steve Roach, yet Vir Unis already has his own unique voice, already a sure hand with subtlety and nuance. There are 12 pieces here, and as with many albums of a textural nature, the divisions between tracks aren’t always noticeable. At times, such as on the opener “Currents Beneath the Shine” or “Resonate and Glow,” the sound is crystalline and ethereally positive, reminding me of early Michael Stearns with the music’s shimmering, mandala-like patterning. At others, Vir Unis reaches the abstraction of his contribution to The Ambient Expanse, sounds of twilight grottos and other such vivid imagery. Every moment is rich with atmosphere, mystery, and vision, each piece picturesque and compelling. It’s everything you would hope it to be, a debut of extraordinary quality. Waste no time purchasing this one.

Filed under: New releases, Issue 19, 1999 releases

Related artist(s): Vir Unis (John Strate-Hootman)

 

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