A strong statement of intent here from Ireland-based Lithuanian pianist and composer Gediminas Karkauskas who releases this his debut.

A solo piano album is never easy to pull off. It can be too remote or on the other hand too much of a showcase of technique. Karkauskas avoids both pitfalls with a dreamy impressionist approach, reminiscent of Bill Evans as the album opens and which moves into a darker, carefully detailed, world of his own on tracks such as 'Talking Summer' and 'The Blame Rests'.

The album thrives on slow tempi, the pianist lingering over complex chords and subtle mood shifts that keep your interest throughout.

Out on the Teddy D label on 16 October.