I really must apologise for not telling you about Dunkie earlier, entirely my fault. Working To Design was in the I Don't Hear A Single Top 100 albums of last year and this new EP deserves even further recognition, it is a beautiful listen.
Anthony Price with Wayne Bassett are effectively the band, as well as being the songwriters, but the whole project is a collaboration of like minded individuals. As well as adding variety to the material, these collaborators add to and expand the appeal.
Over these five songs, there are treks into Folk and Country, but overall the vibe is more Modern Prog and definitely Pop Rock. I'm thinking of the Alan Parsons Project or Renaissance. The quality of the song writing shines through and the arrangements complement Price's wonderful delicately fragile voice.
There is a real laid back feel to the album, maybe it's a South Wales effect, which allows the songs into your soul. The poppiest thing here is Shadows On The Sun, a song built around an hypnotic riff. This and the moodier The Vanishing are a perfect showcase for that precious voice. The latter has far more packed into it than the former. I kept thinking of Beth Orton's Roll The Dice at times.
Deep Dark Heart is essentially a folk duet with vocals from Mark Purnell and Sarah Birch, but that is only part of the story. The blend of their voices is a tad prime time Fleetwood Mac, but the arrangement is superb. Stunning Violin from Terry Payne with a tinge of Americana adding to the mix.
Mali Davies takes lead vocals on Choke and the melancholy rings out, aided again by Terry Payne's Flute, as well as Violin. Choke is amazing in that it is played by seven musicians, but still sounds so splendidly sparse.
Lauren Coates is lead vocalist on the closer, The Vanishing Shadow, bringing a more modern feel to proceedings. Hopefully, the people who will like this EP will also add the Working To Design album to their collections.
Another thought occurred. If only a collaboration like The Prog Collective could come up with something as special as this. Providing an intelligent rounded beautifully arranged album instead of revealing how well they could play their instruments. This EP is exceptional.
You can listen to and buy the album here. The EP is only 50p, I mean 50p! Bandcamp buyers also get a bonus track, an alternative stripped down version of The Vanishing recorded at the same sessions.
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