A solo piano album truly digs deep into the heart and soul of an artist; judging by this release, Michael Kocour has the heart of a lion. He plays both acoustic and Rhodes piano here and mixes them up with standards and his own compositions in a tasty way. He’s got a clean and clear touch with a warm sense of swing, as he displays on a patient “Con Alma” and boppy “Just In Time.” His keyboard work creates a rich mood on ”How Deep is the Ocean” and adds an extra layer of soul on “Freedom Jazz Dance” and “Pensativa.” Besides subtlety, Kocour shows he can also be a little playful as shown on a rich read of “Evidence” while his own “Wherever You Go…” focuses on his assertiveness. Lots to appreciate here.
OA2 Records