9 tracks. Running time 45:42 Jeff Oster's debut album contains the four tracks from his EP At Last and five other instrumental songs. The songs are an unusual but extraordinary combination of Jeff playing flugelhorn, trumpet, and keyboards while guest musicians (the only one whose name I'm familiar with is Will Ackerman who also produced the album) add to the magic with instrumentation such as piano, violin, guitars, and synths. The result is acoustic contemporary styles tinged with smooth Jazz and blended with beats, percussion, and electronic music. This is a work of varying moods which range from contemplative, reflective and slightly doleful to happy and joyful; also visiting some emotional places in between. It doesn't really have any low points though - either emotionally or musically. The opening track "Fool's Gold" is a contemplative almost disconsolate piece. Deep piano notes and then velvety warm but sad flugelhorn refrains come in. It's also a mellow piece with restrained melodies, including guitars later on, plus some breathy and strung out wordless vocals. The mood picks up in the next piece "Big Sur", after seeming a little like chamber music at the start with violins a gently rhythmic passage starts up with guitar, percussion, and synth pads. Jeff's horn/trumpet then brings in a lovely melodious structure around which other instruments play out. This track got me thinking of being on holiday when slowly waking up and looking out to a marvellous landscape and sea on a bright day. Something I learnt from Released is that instruments like the flugelhorn that one doesn't usually associate with ambient music can be used to create lovely ambient passages. In "Final Approach" the horn begins like tones from a lonely and distant explorer. Discreet humming synths and bass beats fill out the background and some female stretched out "hey hey" vocals are heard in parts. All the while the horn continues its refrains getting nearer and less lonely as the piece progresses, reaching a climax before the electronics take the track to a peaceful close. One of the good things about being a reviewer is getting to hear music you'd probably not otherwise encounter. I'm so glad to have received Released. It's a truly heartwarming and melodious album that like a good wine gets better over time. Highly recommended.