Michel Reis - Short Stories (2019) [Hi-Res]

The Piano Series
Sometimes music is abstract. Sometimes it is purely an invitation to dance. Sometimes it exists to protest against a wrong. And sometimes it exists simply to tell us a story. Short Stories is the magnificent new solo album from Luxembourg-born pianist Michel Reis, a set of fourteen delicately spun narratives, each with its own colour, setting and direction, each as compelling as the last. Adjectives like “cinematic” routinely attach themselves to jazz impressionism. Reis, though, takes a subtler and more nuanced approach, creating works that combine simplicity with an air of mystery and suspense. Reis has released trio music on CAM JAZZ already, but this is a chance to hear him in a no less typical setting, in quiet and thoughtful communication with a beautiful piano. His style, influenced by classical music, but still very much in the modern jazz idiom, is open, alert and responsive, respectful to the example of his teachers but now, after ten albums, confidently moving in its own direction. Settle down and let him tell you a story... (Brian Morton)
Recorded in Cavalicco in February 2019 at Artesuono Recording Studio Recording engineer Stefano Amerio
Photos by Elisa Caldana
Liner notes by Brian Morton

01. Michel Reis - Sunae Ii (2:21)
02. Michel Reis - From The Eyes Of Old (4:25)
03. Michel Reis - How It All Began (the Story Of Mr. Potes) (5:03)
04. Michel Reis - Monologue (5:25)
05. Michel Reis - Could I See You Again (7:04)
06. Michel Reis - Gratitude (2:29)
07. Michel Reis - Road To Dilijan (5:22)
08. Michel Reis - Gravity And Lightness (3:23)
09. Michel Reis - Tales Of Oleander (6:19)
10. Michel Reis - Eugene And Valentina Main Theme (4:54)
11. Michel Reis - Awakening (6:50)
12. Michel Reis - Eleni (for Eleni Karaindrou) (5:52)
13. Michel Reis - Bells (4:34)
14. Michel Reis - Goodnight (3:12)