Editorial Reviews

J. Ralph may not be a household name, but chances are his music enters your home every day, in the form of evocative soundscapes from countless TV ad campaigns. A self-taught composer who found early success in the heady realm of electronica, where he was known as Spy, J. Ralph's compositions are no mere jingles, but rather lush orchestral backdrops drawing on classical and cinematic prototypes, sometimes showing traces of his electronica expertise as well: the wistfully romantic music on the stereo in your Volkswagen (or Honda, or Volvo) as you cruise into the sunset. Behind its cryptic title, The Illusionary Movements of Geraldine and Nazu allows this versatile composer some space to breathe beyond the 30-second mark, as one expansive track after another etches itself into your memory. Half of the tunes are strictly instrumental, ranging from the lyrical solo violin and surging symphonic climaxes of "Untitled 17" to the Celtic tinge of "Where the Day Takes You" and the dramatic fanfares of "Paradise del'Anima Persa." The vocal tracks add a layer of dramatic mystery: "M" develops like an operatic scene, with a mezzo-soprano and a (Bocelli-esque) baritone in ardent dialogue and duet, pausing to dance a tarantella in the middle. The guitar and Middle Eastern strings on "One Million Miles Away" and the distant accordion on "Mi Ricordo" are among the many eclectic and ear-grabbing sonic touches, but there's also an emotional core in each song that goes deep beneath the appealing surface. J. Ralph's advertising clients should beware: After listening to this music on its own, you won't so much remember the products it was used to promote as simply admire the composer's distinctive talents and imagination. Scott Paulin, Barnes & Noble

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