This record's elegant electro-acoustic textures have a deliciously warm and soothing quality. Its nine tracks are destined to be filed under A for 'Ambient' although they have just as much in common with cool, late-night jazz.
It is the work of Andy Dobson, a classically trained clarinettist and former chorister who has made four previous albums under the Digitonal name.
He's not a man to be hurried so, working at his own pace, this is his first all new work since 2008.
Although it is a solo project, he is ably accompanied by a select group of musicians: Egyptian violinist Samy Bishai, Kat Avery (harp) and Georgina Hall & Ivan Hussey (cello).
The tunes are melodically rich with hidden complexities and a beautiful track like Polestar betrays the fact that Dobson's music originates from chill-out spaces of London's club scene in the 1990s.
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The collection includes some older tunes that have only previously existed in improvised forms at live shows, for example one of the more beat-orientated numbers,We Three, dates back to 2004.
His penchant for classical minimalism is evident on Autumn Round and even more so on the closing track, Eighteen, a four minute homage to Steve Reich's 'Music For 18 Musicians'.
This album is proof, if proof is needed, that you don't need heartfelt vocals to create an emotionally rich listening experience.
Digitonal's website
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