Album Review: Improvisation 20161123 255AM by Greg Reason
Let’s cut to the chase—Greg Reason’s Improvisation 20161123 255AM is like that quiet kid at a party who ends up being the most interesting person you meet all night. Released in 2016 under his own steam (no label boss breathing down his neck), this ambient-electronic gem feels deeply personal, like Greg just hit "record" one early morning and let the universe do its thing. And honestly? It works.
The album's lone track, "Improvisation / 2016/11/23 / 2.55AM," clocks in with an unassuming vibe but punches way above its weight. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night, staring at your ceiling, wondering if aliens are real or if you left the stove on—and then this track starts playing in your head. It’s not flashy; it doesn’t scream for attention. Instead, it whispers, “Hey, I’m here, and I’ve got something to say.”
What makes this piece stick with me is how Greg layers soundscapes using what sounds like electric guitar loops, though he could’ve been playing a toaster for all we know—he’s credited himself for everything from composition to photography, so clearly, the man wears many hats. The result feels organic yet otherworldly, like Earth decided to send a postcard to space, and this was the soundtrack. You don’t listen to it as much as you live inside it for a while.
Would I recommend this album? Absolutely—if you’re into music that lets your brain wander without judging it too hard. If anything, it’s proof that sometimes less really is more. And hey, props to Greg for doing literally everything himself. Dude didn’t even outsource his cover art! Talk about DIY spirit.
Final thought: Listening to this album feels like finding a forgotten Polaroid in your pocket years later. It’s blurry, mysterious, and kinda beautiful—but also leaves you wondering why you were up at 2:55 AM in the first place. Maybe Greg knows. Or maybe he just wanted us to figure it out ourselves.
