In his songs, as in his life, Tim Erskine strives to maintain a delicate balance between the technical and the primitive, the rational and the creative, and the manmade and the natural. What's surprising is that he manages to make this balancing act appear effortless on his debut album, First Light.

The singer/composer/guitarist spent what he describes as "an inordinately long time" writing, arranging and recording this accomplished release. The effort shows. First Light is an impressive collection of original music distinguished by mature songwriting and tightly focused musicianship.

Erskine's stellar ensemble, which includes renowned session musicians Gregg and Matt Bissonette on drums and bass, jazz pianist and Emmy-winning composer Vince Frates and guitar virtuouso Mike Dowdle, manages to straddle the thin line between restraint and release, yielding just the right measure of each. Meanwhile, Erskine sings with a combination of grit and control.