Mists Of Time
Inner Nova, 2020
8/10
An award winning composer and pianist, Andrew Colyer pairs skilled piano compositions with plenty of atmospheric gestures across a dozen originals here, where his roots in classical and jazz sounds are in attendance, as is much creativity and adventurousness.
“Rain Notes: Storms” starts the listen with plenty of ambience as a soothing, nearly meditative quality enters amid Colyer’s well timed piano where the setting does indeed turn turbulent in the Brian Eno inspired landscape, and “Oliver’s Journey” follows with much beauty, as the delicate keys flow in and out of fascinating, soul stirring moments of grace.
Elsewhere, “Strings Of The Ocean” displays much improvisational skill amid a dreamy backdrop, while “Rain Notes: Forest” recruits a cinematic demeanor that’s almost got a sci-fi appeal in its exploratory nature. “Ghosts Of Aberfan”, a truly exceptional tune, then emits an emotional and complicated execution with just Colyer’s strong key acrobatics present.
Towards the end, “Overcoming”, another improvisational track, documents tension alongside a classically influenced climate, and the aptly titled “Serenity” exits the listen with the glorious piano playing mixed with percussive sounds and voices used like an instrument.
Inspired by the aforementioned Eno and names like Deuter, Oliver Prehn and Alex Wurman, Colyer brings us an exciting, unpredictable and enlightening experience, and it’s one that fans of labels like Navona or New Focus should definitely explore further.
Travels well with Casey Gibson- Piano Music; Stanley Grill- Remember