Rena Jones - Dirtwood [Native State Records - 2006]Driftwood weaves together tuneful electroinca with violin and cello music to a haunting, memorable and beautiful effect. Making enchanted and edgy beat-works to disappear off into. It never tries to be musically difficult, it just slides along smooth as silk, making wonderful chill out music, that will sooth away the days stressers and strains. This is Rena’s Third album solo album, but she has collaborated with many other people, as well as been a well recognised and respected sound engineer- which is clear from the production of Driftwood- everything is so clear and vast, ever sound is aloud to shine and flower in it's own right, making the ravishing lush tunes shine even brighter. Its touches down in classical, ambient, tuneful electronica, bluesy and jazzy touches also appear. But never at any time does is feel contrived or trying to be too clever, which can often been the problem with virtuoso albums. She’s always mindful of creating an atmosphere and mood that is both soothing and inviting, like a floating in a vast bath of sound, letting the sounds lull and charm your ears. Her violin and cello playing is always used in the right places; it never becomes overbearing, as it sails in over the head nooding beats- like angles calling- often haunted but always exquisite A wonderful and rewarding example of how instrumental eceltronica can done with great charm and flare, with very much with its own sound and musical vision. Surely one of this year’s electroncia lay- back -and –let- it –wash- over -you highlights. Roger Batty
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