If you can have a chillout during a warm summer haze, The Essence does it here. The Essence is the composing team of Garry Judd, Nick Ryan and Jay Reynolds. Their CD Baby site describes them as ambient as well as chillout, but that description does not really apply to anything with beats, even the fairly restrained ones on these five tracks.

1. Dewpoint
2. Archer Street
3. Perdu (Lost in a Kiss)
4. You are a Part of Everything
5. Plaza Suite

"Dewpoint" is dreamy electronica for summer relaxing. "Archer Street" adds acoustic guitar and sax for a jazz touch. "Perdu (Lost in a Kiss)" is as romantic as it sounds, with a woman speaking French in a sensuous voice over beats and soft synth patterns. "You are Part of Everything" is similar, except here a woman sings in English. "Plaza Suite" also has female vocals, but this time with a funky electronica background of keyboards, bass, and beats.

The Essence doesn't break new ground with their Summer Haze EP. They use some abbreviated samples, so things get a bit repetitious. But this is just an EP, so coming in at just under half an hour, it doesn't wear on a listener . There is no shortage of beautiful melodies, so if you are in a summer haze, these tunes will keep you there.

~ Dave Howell

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