Lexx steps away from his beat-driven business for a laidback long-player called Home From Home. Dedicated to his friends in Siarago, in the Philippines, only one track here even features drums. That said, sonically the album is not such a departure from the Swiss DJ / producer’s back catalogue. More a merging of his mellifluous, modern R&B stuff – such as his cracking sunstroked collaborations with Harriet Brown – with the stripped down aesthetics of Jonny Nash’s Melody As Truth imprint. There are similarities with some of Jonny’s own solo work, but especially with Suzanne Kraft’s much-loved Talk From Home. The record unfurling, confidently, patiently, with unhurried themes and arrangements. 

Cool, calming electric keys, that in places recall those on Mos Def’s Universal Magnetic, almost techno in tone, accompany a wide range of classy guitar picking, provided by Lexx’s pals, Roger Szedalik and Pablo Color. From Ultramarin’s acoustics, to the beautifully bent, pedal steel-like notes on the closing lullaby, Nighttime, and sultry, shuffling, Rising Tide’s suggestion of Brazilian samba in its strum. The latter, lush, rich with reverb. Throughout the mood is mellow, muted. On the opening Leap Of Faith gentle bubbles and washes of wonderful wordless vocals, care of another mate, Asé, add to the aquatic, beachside vibe. 

On Here And Now multiple 6-string overdubs mix post-rock minimalism and drones with Pat Metheny-esque jazzy riffing and Americana touches, while Forever Moments, the aforementioned only song with drums, and augmented by echoed finger clicks, is a flawless fusion-influenced piece. The album, put succinctly, is a pretty much perfect set for lounging, lazing on, or slowly easing yourself into, a clear, cloudless, preferably, summer’s day. 

Lexx’s Home Away From Home is out now on Lexx Music.