Also this issue: Flash Forward Costumed lip-synchers Fischerspooner are not out to shock you. -Sean O’Neal Dirty Three -Paul Burress Jayhawks -Sam Adams Gabriel Yacoub -Mary Armstrong VERSIONsound -Sean O’Neal Brentano String Quartet -Peter Burwasser The Funk Brothers -Nicole Pensiero CD Reviews -Sam Adams, A.D. Amorosi and Collin Keefe

April 10-16, 2003

musicpicks

Vir Unis/James Johnson

Without stepping into the conga line of thumping, somber electronics, rhythmatist Vir Unis and ambient-sound sculptor James Johnson -- both giants in the ambient field of technology -- make "trance" the old-fashioned way: by merging acoustic instrumentation with sequence-sample compu-chip-sounds for an organic vibe that’s synthy, moody and mossy. While certainly not the ambi-trance of the modern dancehall, Unis and Johnson’s music has a motivational prayerful sound, one that moves you to twitch, wriggle and raise your hands and spirits. Their proactive ProTools and creaky collaborations were captured, first on Perimeter (Zero Music), a textural, lilting work they say "synchronistically revolves about the interwoven space between the rhythmic and the atmospheric." People who understood that silly quote will adore the fact that Unis/Johnson collaborated again for Perimeter II and will indeed introduce the CD in a live improvisational setting at St. Mary’s Church. Let us pray.

Sat., April 12, 8 p.m., $10-$20, St. Mary’s Hamilton Village sanctuary, University of Pennsylvania, 3916 Locust Walk, 610-734-1009.

—A.D. Amorosi