Sunscapes

This gentle solo piano album by new age pianist Michael Jones combines personal musical remembrances with impressions of the intricacies of nature. "Song for Eia" ("dedicated to a brave young woman") is the tenderest of love songs, as are the noble and bittersweet "Echoes" and the delicate "Dreams of a Child." There are few liner notes to comment on his inspiration, but they must be dear to his heart. Jones specialty is creating musical portraits of nature. His "Butterflies in Space" are both graceful floaters and flutterers; you can almost feel the warm air under Jones' fingers. "Sun Showers" has the expansiveness of broad rays and sparkling glitters. "Touch of the Wind" sweeps along gracefully and with a touch of mischief. Jones's music is such that you can put it on for background, but then be moved to notice a beautiful melody line, a lingering phrase, or a delicate passage. Each listening can be a fresh as the last.