Upstate New York-based musician, composer, and psychoanalyst, Erza Feinberg’s latest long-player, Soft Power, is a magical mix of electronics, jazz, and folk . Calling on a team of equally talented mates he’s created a suite full of light and positivity. Built on intertwining pretty acoustic picking, floating feather-like flute phrases, and the machined modulations of groovy analogue gear, together they’ve fashioned a set packed with good vibes, sunshine, and hope. Pieces that project a bright optimistic outlook. Bonhomie, friendship and love. Where cloaked choral harmonies combine with singing synths, and temple tingsha, on peaceful, but energising, pastorals. Part a nod toward kosmische pioneers, in particular Cluster, but also incorporating “spiritual” syncopation – a rhythmic rattling, cymbal shimmering – care of drummer / percussionist / co-producer, John Thayer.

Pose Beams puts Robbie Lee’s piano, with playful synthesised chamber orchestra strings and a slow, low blow from David Lackner’s clarinet. The composition’s patient arrangement unfurling like a flower opening, blooming, and turning to face the sun. Flutter Intensity features an easy sorta 1960s swing. Russell Greenberg’s vibraphone runs summoning library cues for monochrome movie clips of hipsters in love. The title track is charged by an urgent, circular strum.

Things get a bit banging on The Big Clock, which is a dance of drums, strums, and Britt Hewitt’s fractured, treated, vocals. Kind of a curveball, topped off by solar flight keys, a little bit prog-y, a little bit arty `80s pop, it could well have found favour at Italian DJ Daniele Baldelli’s Cosmic Club.

However, its the final 2 pieces that work best for me. There Was Somebody There, ably assisted by David Moore and Jefre Cantu-Ledesma, returns to soothing guitar and glistening, sparkling swells. Get Some Rest brings the whole “band” back, and also welcomes Mary Lattimore’s heavenly harp.

Ezra Feinberg’s Soft Power has been out for a while now on Tonal Union. 

It was Mancunian musical guru, Moonboots, who turned me onto Ezra Feinberg, by recommending I pick up a copy of Ezra’s 2018 album, Pentimento And Others.