David Cane-Hardy first picked up a guitar in tribute to John Martyn, shortly after the Scotsman’s passing. In paying homage Cane-Hardy set out to transport listeners to “far away places of tranquility and beauty.” His picking, strumming and resulting chiming, ringing harmonics producing eleven gentle guitar-generated soundscapes.

The title track features tiny ripples, whirlpools of echo. Serenaded by bucolic birdsong, Sweet Elspeth hovers and flutters. Ocean is a sea of soothing steel string buzz. Little Mystery may be a respectful nod to Martyn’s Sweet Little Mystery – his hit that was “borrowed” by Wet Wet Wet. It’s also the most Martyn-like number on the album. Travelling at a locomotive tempo with notes flying past like scenery spied from an express train window.

Other musical points of reference include Steve Hiett, for example, on the extremely evocative Forest Walk, which summons scenes of rural surroundings. Summer’s green. Autumn’s reds and oranges. Rambling struts its stuff like Tommy Guerrero’s Loose Grooves & Bastard Blues, minus the drum machine.

David Cane-Hardy’s New Beginnings is out now on DSPPR.