New Dreams

Jean-Michel Pilc has lots of surprises in store for listeners in New Dreams. Well accompanied by bassist Thomas Bramerie and either Ari Hoenig or Mark Mondesir on drums, his unusual, consistently twisting arrangement of the standard "But Not for Me" defies predictable paths, darting in and out of the melody as he builds the tension. Thad Jones' lush ballad "A Child Is Born" finds him alternating between substitutions in each hand, creating a dreamy, impressionist flavor and ending the piece mid-phrase for effect. But the often-pedestrian "Satin Doll" especially benefits from his fresh approach, as he deconstructs the familiar theme and plays around it, having Bramerie hint at it before the pianist takes off on a wild tangent and detours at length into "There Is No Greater Love" and briefly "Round Midnight" before returning to the piece, though never on its own terms. The topsy-turvy dash through "Straight, No Chaser" is just as much fun. Pilc's originals are just as compelling. "New Dreams" is a lush ballad that is ripe for improvisation, while "Action," is just that: a turbulent work that never lets up. The lyrical "Simplicity" has a haunting, melancholy air. Highly recommended!