Road Less Traveled [Audio CD] YOST,KEVIN

Pennsylvanian deep house producer, Kevin Yost shows how adept he is at painting rhythm with Road Less Travelled. By gingerly combining the electronic with the acoustic, Yost reveals a warm, contemplative sound that could soothe a chill-out room or charm a deep house crowd with equal merit. Although jazzy and downbeat, there's little of the noodle factor that plagues a lot of deep house releases. Instead Yost delivers straightforward house grooves with economy and sophistication. Latin, soul and funk influences coalesce in the rich tradition of New York house and the songs are taut and nicely balanced as they develop. Vocal cut, "Move Your Mind"'s lush, sonic sprawl segues slowly into the album's title track, a sensuous, dreamy slice of soul which then leads to the albums' best track, the bass-heavy, pristine "Love Not Love." Not all the tracks are fully realised. Although the multi-textured "This Night" gives the four to the floor freaks something to groove to, "Intentions" sounds too much like Air circa Moon Safari to really strike gold. Overall, Road Less Travelled is a strong effort: they are several moments that transport the listener, while others are well made but fail to engage. --Reuben Dessay