'SIVE' is a lovingly crafted collection of heartfelt songs by Michele Ducci, focusing primarily on piano and Michele's soft, soulful vocals.

Michele Ducci was the 'M' in the electro-pop duo 'M+A' (as well as part of Santii), who released two albums on Monotreme Records, the second of which, 'These Days', earned the band a place in The Guardian's 'best new bands of 2014' list and saw them win the Glastonbury Emerging Talent Competition and perform live on the Pyramid Stage, as well as at the Venice Biennale.

The album, 'SIVE' was recorded in Forlì, Italy, at L'amor Mio Non Muore studios. According to Michele, "I forced myself not to use the computer: the whole album is recorded in analogue, without editing, played and sung all together.

In these times of hyper 'montage' I needed to go back to something that was just as it was played." 'SIVE' encompasses a range of styles, from the dreamy singer/songwriter tones of 'Feelings', 'Here You Are', and 'Nonesome' to the uptempo pop of 'You Lay the Path', RnB-infused 'Just Because' and percussive Beat poetry of 'Hic'.

Album opener, 'River', is a poignant ballad that winds along like its title, opening with the quiet intimacy of hushed vocals and piano and detailing the time he desired to leave the music world behind: "They call my name but I'm a river".

Regarding the album title, Michele says, "'Sive' is a Latin word that comes from a phrase by the philosopher Spinoza: 'Deus Sive Natura'.

'Sive' means 'that is,' almost 'namely'. The cover art is a watercolour by Michele and his partner Letizia, who also sings backing vocals on several of the tracks.