Bali Dua
The Japanese project called Jalan Jalan returns with the  follow-up to their haunting debut of ambient gamelan music,Bali. Like its  predecessor,Bali Duacontinues to use samples of Balinese  gamelan instruments, along with metallophones and gongs, deploying  slow-motion melodies against swirls of synthesizers that move like  clouds. This time out, however, Yasufumi Yamashita, the main composer  of Jalan Jalan, has added a subtle lushness to the proceedings. The  simple acoustic guitar cycle of "Sekar" frames the stately melody of  the gamelan. Yamashita uses wood chimes to accent the terrain on some  pieces, while Balinese traditional singers pop up on others. Like  Pachebel's "Canon" and Brian Eno's "An Ending (Ascent)," Jalan Jalan's  compositions seem like they could go on forever, melodies spiraling in  minor key refrains that point towards infinity. And like all titles on  the Pacific Moon label, it even comes with a couple of sticks of  incense to set the mood. But with Jalan Jalan, you won't need it as  they take you into their own virtual Bali.--John Diliberto