Nima of Merge announces side project Merge Factory

Nima of the world fusion band Merge, has just announced a side project, namely Merge Factory. I have just received a promo of their album Unsteady State Of Change. Nima warned me it would be different from the 4 Merge albums I've have already, indeed I find that he is right. I'm now half way through my first listen to the album and can say I really like this, although more lightweight than Merge. The first track appears to be atypical of the rest of the set, being a semi-acoustic blues. Then rest  of the tracks so far heard, distinctly take for their start point from electronic dance/trance but PROGRESSING the music to a really acceptable listening level (as opposed music purely for dance and forgettable after the moment). The electronic drums may annoy some, but are used well, add synths and Nima's Chapman stick on many tracks and you get trance with interesitng solos, plus a really great fronting vocalist. This guy has a voice that reminds me of the great blue eyed soul or 60's R'N'B voices, such as Stevie Winwood - although the bluesy first track has the vocalist dip a slight way into Don Van Vliet grave throated sound. Add to that instrumental solos you would not expect in trance - damned sure George Benson's style guitar playing can be hear on the 5th track - and Unsteady State Of Change seems to be moving the electronic dance end of things forward.