Saxophone Sorcery: Ben Vince's "Street Druid" Unleashed

Ben Vince's new album, "Street Druid," offers a robust and imposing auditory experience of urban life. The London musician, known for his mystical saxophone tone, has crafted structures that feel more elaborate and lasting than his previous work.

Primarily a solo effort, "Street Druid" features Vince on saxophone, synthesizer, and drum machine, with minimal contributions from others. The album opens with a dense cluster of saxophone parts, creating an immediate, immersive atmosphere reminiscent of his earlier looping techniques but with a new depth.

Tracks such as "Peace Spell" introduce a more song-like quality, blending lyrical saxophone melodies with a foundation of plucked harp and synths. Despite its prettiness, the piece contrasts sentimentality with the deep, sorrowful weight of Vince's horn. Another track, "Deepbluereflection," builds a heavy electronic beat from industrial sounds, pushing Vince's saxophone to the sonic periphery behind a funky guitar line, evoking the electric funk of Miles Davis.