Jean-Michel Pilc - Follow Me (2004)

Jean-Michel Pilc's first solo piano CD is a thought-provoking mix of originals, standards, and classic jazz compositions. His jaunty approach to the venerable "St. Louis Blues" is extremely playful, incorporating dazzling post-bop runs. "My Favorite Things" is recast in a dark setting, adding hand-muted and plucked piano strings along with thunderous tremolos, as if an intense thunderstorm were approaching. He adds a percussive cadence and an even more eerie flavor to the already mournful "St. James Infirmary Blues." On the other hand, "If I Should Lose You" has a childlike innocence to it, while he whistles along with his piano in the bittersweet "One for My Baby" and romps through "Autumn Leaves" with an extremely fresh, dissonant arrangement. His disguised introduction to "Ain't Mishbehavin'" finds him starting at the very top of the keyboard before sliding down to get into a more familiar range, yet his modern approach to stride includes detours into such gems as Duke Ellington's "I'm Beginning to See the Light." Among modern jazz works, his gorgeous interpretation of the late Bill Evans' infrequently performed "B Minor Waltz" and rapid-fire miniature take of Sonny Rollins' "Oleo" merit high praise as well. "Follow Me" almost suggests a song written for children at first, though it once he moves down to the center of the keyboard, it becomes an enticing, upbeat ballad. "Happiness Seven" is a bit more mysterious, while "The Raccoon" seems like it is an improvisation. In any case, Pilc's solo piano outing is hardly typical for the genre, as new facets within it reveal themselves with each hearing. Highly recommended.