As with many current releases, Edwin and Durant weren’t able to come together to record, but instead shared files. To compensate, most of Durant’s contributions are the original guide tracks which gives them a certain spontaneity which post production may have smoothed out.

Likewise Edwin for the first time in four Burnt Belief releases plays double bass throughout. Again, this brings a more textured, warmer feel and more sensual ‘touch’ to the recordings of these largely ambient edged songs. Indeed there’s a slight resonance between Edwin’s feel and Dan Berglund as he unswervingly sustains a pedal note or lays down deceptively simple bass figures which become the still point of the turning world created by Durant’s swirling mists of atmospheric guitar. Saks’ melancholic, Jon Hassell-like trumpet (and how his gifts will be missed) also sparks against Edwin’s resolute holding patterns, notably on ‘Where It All Began’ and ‘Rosso Portofino’.

Progsters (Edwin is best known for his Porcupine Tree sessions) and fans of ambient vibes may enjoy this release the most, but there’s an economy and restraint to these cuts that make Mutual Isolation worth visiting over and again.