A solo piano album is one of the most revealing of recordings, as it is hopefully able to allow you into the heart and mind of the artist. Michael Wolff’s album is able to let you into his thought process and influences, while keeping his own personal touch intact. He mixes his own original compositions with some clever interpretations of covers.
Of the latter, his hands create rich chords of introduction before skipping into a fun foray on John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps” while delivering two fists of bop on “Billie’s Bounce.” Double digits of delight are on the spotlight for “All the Things you Are,” and Wolff keeps the songbook current with a dainty and deep take of Sufjan Stevens’ “Flint.”
His own material reveals a spaciousness on “Blue Couch” and soft reflections during “Olly” with a moody pastel thoughtfulness on “Little M.” Wolff shows allegiance in touch to artists like Art Tatum, Eric Satie and Bud Powell, mixing them all with his own fingerprint in a successful portrait.
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