Synthesist Jonn Serrie has always traversed a spectrum between deep space excursions and sentimental pop melodies. He charts a similar course on Lumia Nights, creating ambient lounge music full of breathy synthesizer pads... more » and cocktail-bar-at-midnight moods. He even covers the jazz standard, "Autumn Leaves" to cloyingly bad effect. Just think Lawrence Welk plugged in. The lounge rhythms are offered up with none of the irony you might find in electronica artists such as Thievery Corporation or Loop Guru, whose grooves call up an iconography that's twisted on its head. It's not until "Deep Mystery" that Serrie floats off into the night sky with shimmering synthesizer textures that recall some of his Planetary Chronicles recordings, but even here, the synthesist goes for melodies that exhibit more saccharine than soul. --John Diliberto« less
Synthesist Jonn Serrie has always traversed a spectrum between deep space excursions and sentimental pop melodies. He charts a similar course on Lumia Nights, creating ambient lounge music full of breathy synthesizer pads and cocktail-bar-at-midnight moods. He even covers the jazz standard, "Autumn Leaves" to cloyingly bad effect. Just think Lawrence Welk plugged in. The lounge rhythms are offered up with none of the irony you might find in electronica artists such as Thievery Corporation or Loop Guru, whose grooves call up an iconography that's twisted on its head. It's not until "Deep Mystery" that Serrie floats off into the night sky with shimmering synthesizer textures that recall some of his Planetary Chronicles recordings, but even here, the synthesist goes for melodies that exhibit more saccharine than soul. --John Diliberto
Reminiscent of floating in space with your soulmate.........
susie_a | Tennessee | 09/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"As I was reading through the reviews for the album (as I always do before buying) I was amazed at the differences of opinion on this album. Either you loved it or hated it. So, as a person who loves conflict I decided to purchase it. I took heed to the negative reviews thinking it would put me to sleep. As I listened to the album, several of the reviews came to mind. Sleepy elevator music, tracks running into tracks.... But I was simply listening to the "white noise". Soon, though, I really began to "hear" what was behind the music. Pain, love, friendship, heartache, romance and patience are all "floating" behind this music. THAT it what MAKES it music, not just a bunch of chords, swooshy stuff and tinkly [kaka], as MANY of the "Space" and "New Age" artists do today and call it music. "Space" music tells a story, it takes you on a journey to the stars: beyond and back. Any "musician" can slap melodies and chords onto a cd and call it music. Any "author" can take words and turn them into a book. It takes a talented individual to blend the elements of storytelling and instrumental music into one. Mr. Serrie is one such individual. Each track on the album leads to the next track, much as each chapter in a book leads to the next. By the last song on the album, I had completed my journey into the stars and made it home safely, where as many musicians had left me stranded somewhere beyond Planet X. So to those reviewers that slammed the album, I urge you to go back to the cd with an open mind, remembering that it is telling a story, and, much like one of the reviewers said, (and Xena) "Don't just listen to the sounds, but what is behind the sounds." Take a chance...You just might be surprised."
Night Traveling to Perfection
Christine Bearse | Vernon, CT USA | 10/25/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"For many years now, The music of Jonn Serrie has been an essential part of my life.From the First chords of And the Stars Go With You, through Planetary Chronicles..Tingri, Spiritkeepers, Ixlandia and all the rest..he has taken me along with him as his soul expressed itself. And I have been blessed to have been allowed to ride the cosmos with him.With Lumia Nights, as soon as I received it, I waited to listen to it until it was night...and I was softly comfortable with earphones on and quiet around me. For to listen to his music is to EXPERIENCE something that almost cannot be defined. This Cd takes you on a journey from evening to the deep hours of night and when I heard his rendition of Autumn Leaves, I instanty felt as if I were aboard a huge ship and sitting in a lounge where so many of us were gathered and he was there playing this for us, as we all thought of Earth and life here. I know to some this may sound totally absurd..but I know there will be some of you that will know exactaly what I mean!If you are a tried and true Jonn Serrie fan, than this will enchant you beyond belief.For once again he has taken us all to another place within ourselves. For those who may be new to his music, be prepared to feel many emotions,for this is an experience that is a gift from his heart to ours."
Serrie's best since he put out "Spirit Keepers"
Brad Torgersen | Seattle, WA, USA | 07/06/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Seldom have I run across a "mood" album which so completely captures the rhythms of the evening. A newcomer to the genre might mark this as typical 'easy listening', but it is not. This is Space Music Serrie at his best, cut loose on a sensual, somewhat titlating journey through the activities of night: rest, relaxation, romance, and sex.
Listening to this album is like going on an aural date with your one and only: a high-dress night on the town, superb dining, slow dancing, the eventual midnight drive home through gentle summer air while the stars illuminate your way, to be capped by scenes of slow, hungry passion in the jacuzzi, shower, or between the sheets.
My wife is not overly fond of space music, but on this album we're agreed, Serrie has truly captured the feeling of the complete couples' evening. Smooth, flowing, with a depth of bass that perfectly underscores the higher melodies. A remarkably undersold gem of an album which I very much recommend, whether you need some background ambience to set the tone, or a bona fide space trip of the mind."
*WARNING* Play CD at own risk..Bedroom performance..high
diamondmoonlight | Memphis TN | 08/20/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"When you first hear Mr. Serrie's music, you may find it sleepy or something you would hear in the lift. I thought this to be true the first go around. But as I put one of his first CD's in the player eons ago and had a second listen to, I really began to appreciate the music. You must not simply hear the music as many of us do these days, you must LISTEN to music. If you DO listen carefully, you can feel the emotion and and see the energy he puts into each and every sound, each and every track.
Lumia Nights is one of the most tender and passionate recordings I have heard from Mr. Serrie in ages. ("Lovers in Motion" and "Starshower" are my personal favorites ) I can hear that this project has been weighing heavy on his soul for many years. I hear heartache and pain, love and passion. It stirs a longing in me that I have thought long dead. The sensuality of the erotic sounds and the movements in these songs can place you in another time and place. This recording falls right in line with Ixlandia and Midsummer Century, while staying true to his space music roots. If you are a space music fan, the latter part of the album will appeal to you the most, if you are a romantic at heart, the first tracks will call to you. All I can say to the critics is take another listen, clear your mind of all other activities in your life and listen, not just hear the music, but really LISTEN. Listen to the multitudes of layering, listen to the sleekness of the instruments, listen to the movements, listen to the emotion, the passion behind what he is playing and tell me this is not a "creative" piece of work. Mr Serrie, hats off to you."