First of all, apologies are due for the tardy review of this summertime release by multi-instrumentalist Steven McCabe, collecting together the first two EPs starting with a series of charming synth/ guitar-based instrumentals, mostly vignettes.
The tracks with guest musicians make up the second part of the release starting with the Camel-like ‘Enraptured II’ (additional drums). The winsome ‘Mood #11’ continuing in similar vein. The vocals come in on the radio edit of ‘Telling Tales’ with its neat synth break. The ‘Reflections’ radio edit follows, a catchy thoughtful piece about the ageing process with a heavier organ-based section that has a little bit of an Atomic Rooster feel to it; again, string synth is used to good effect; reduced by a whole 15 minutes but still most impactful! ‘Don’t Look Down (At the End of the World)’ is the next track, from Steven’s fine 2023 album, to be given the radio edit treatment; great job by the rhythm section and the vocal duo of Tomas Baptista and Iona MacQueen (and a piquant guitar break) on a song that packs a lot into its 3:40. ‘Ice Capsicum’, also from the 2023 album, is a strong instrumental closer, showing the visceral depth of Elegant Simplicity’s music.
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