Chilly Gonzales
Album: Solo Piano II
Label: Gentle Threat
Tracks: 14
Website: http://www.chillygonzales.com

Canadian-born Chilly Gonzales (aka Jason Charles Beck) is a musician, song-writer and producer who has been based in Germany since 1999, following a varied pop career in Canada. He continues to work in a range of musical styles - pop, indie and rap - but this album of solo piano pieces does what it says on the tin!

A follow-up to his first solo piano disc in 2004, this is an interesting, if difficult-to-categorise set. Most of the tunes have a slightly repetitive, Satie-esque feel. They appear to be approached in a straight, classical manner - there is little improvisation and these appear to be through-composed. (There are no sleeve notes to assist the listener).

Piano is a percussive instrument, and beautifully played though these compositions are, they tend to emphasise rhythm and the dynamics of the piano's "loud and soft", rather than to swing (in the manner of Brad Mehldau's solo work) or to challenge the listener (in terms of Keith Jarrett's approach to solo improvisation).

That said, these are charming pieces and the sound on the recording is glorious. If you like a mix of jaunty tunes and lyrical ballads expertly played on solo piano, this one's for you.

Martin Price