Pianist Howard Riley goes solo on this graceful and melodic collection of originals and a handful of covers. While Riley’s touch is gentle and flowing, there is a dash of Monk-like playfulness and harmonics, evidenced by “Three to Four” and “You Said.” Riley is filled with clever ideas, evidenced by the two takes of the standard “April in Paris” being completely in variance from one another, as well as his different readings of his own “Eyes Wide Open” and “Equation.” The mood carried throughout is unassuming and unpretentious, as if the pianist were giving you a part of his creative process in a parlor. Casual and embracing.