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Album Review: Love Is by Steve Howe (8/10)

Warm arpeggios and gentle strums on an acoustic guitar, searing melodies on an electric, memorable hooks that remain in your head; these are the magical elements that comprise Love Is. The famed vet of British prog super-groups Yes, Asia and GTR returns with his first solo album since 2011. What’s nice is the balance of tracks; half instrumental and half vocal. On board is son Dylan on drums and long-time Yes vocalist Jon Davison. Howe is brilliant on jazzy, new age “Fulcrum” and utilizes tasty intervals on “Sound Picture.” His voice connects on “See Me Through” and “It Ain’t Easy,” but comes alive when Davison adds operatic-styled backups.

Distributed by: BMG

Produced by: Steve Howe