It is a while since we heard from Andy Dobson’s Digitonal, but for him this is because of a lack of pressure to align himself to any particular ‘scene’. This attitude is wholly in keeping with his music, which unwinds instinctively and with a sense of ease that the best chill out acts have. Digitional is much more than just background music, mind, for in tracks like ‘We Three’ Dobson shows his classical sensibilities are still very much at the forefront of his thinking, as the attractive piece builds fluently, using strings, harp and wind instruments to good effect. ‘Polestar’ takes a more edgy approach, being a really good combination of Dobson’s main instrument, the clarinet, and a slightly dubby electronic backdrop. Dobson has always acknowledged the influence of Steve Reich on his work, and this comes to the fore in ‘Eighteen’, which works in small melodic loops as what would seem to be a tribute to (and possible sample from) the ‘Music for Eighteen Musicians’. Dobson’s meticulous craft and relaxed air are the two best things about this blissful music, which operates equally well as background listening or blissful foreground work. Lovely.
5 out of 5
Reviewed by Ben Hogwood
{http://soundcloud.com/digitonal/eighteen}
