Tom Middleton

After working with the likes of Bebel Gilberto and Global Communications, Tom Middleton strikes out on his own with Lifetracks, his solo debut that draws inspiration from electronic-based movie soundtracks and classical music. Among the disc's highlights are "Prana," based on a repeated guitar loop enhanced by orchestras and choirs that grows into a continuous crescendo. The loungelike "Serendipity," also rooted in a guitar loop, conjures visions of tropical drinks sipped under pastel sunsets. "Sea of Glass" begins with a piano riff similar to the theme from the TV show Cold Case, and is enhanced by strings and vibes. Listen also to the beautiful "Yearning," which features fine jazz-inspired fretless bass work from Andy Kremer as its centerpiece, and the dreamy "Enchanting," a keyboard-centered track closing the disc with the fading sounds of wind and sea. With Lifetracks, Middleton has carefully mixed organic and digitalized textures, showing that one can use multiple sources to create music palatable to a variety of audiences.