Dan Reynolds: Press

For a musical journey poised to release a variety of feelings and emotions, I suggest you check out River Maiden, the latest release from contemporary jazz keyboardist, Dan Reynolds. The mood is at times serene and calming, and other times funky, romantic, and headbopping! Washington, DC/Baltimore-based Dan Reynolds has been a featured keyboardist with Ken Navarro, Larry Coryell, Maysa, and Gary Grainger, and he has taken his soulful style to the limits and beyond with his new release.

The CD features a standout array of musicians including Gary and Greg Grainger (both of Acoustic Alchemy), Scott Ambush (of Spyro Gyra), Rob Holmes (who is killer on sax), and vocalists Dawn Robinson and Jeff Watson, among others. From the opening funky tune “Last Chance” to the gentle sweeping ”Summer Rain” and continuing to the closing track, “Calico Autumn,” a peaceful, reflective piano piece, this album of eleven original tunes will fill every emotional niche you may have. The melodies are well crafted and beautiful.

This is Dan’s fourth release and, in my opinion, his most creative. Worth a listen for sure!

This disc waxes well, particularly in soft-jazz circles, but not limited to that genre alone. Perhaps it's wiser to say that there's a good mixture here.

"From The Top" is well titled as it makes a strong entry. Reynolds goes "organic" and heats up this track. The next two, "The Answer" and "Delafield Place," are a little lighter, but carry just as much weight. The interplay between musicians is very cooperative, no one is shouting out the other on their respective instruments.

One of the most melodic cuts is the title track, "To Be Sure," filled with sentiment and yet quite joyful. "With My Friends" showcases Dawn Robinson's uplifting vocals, celebrating the joys of friendship with a serene melody. While the tracks are consistent, they don't just stick to one formula. "Deep Freeze" is more of a groove track than the rest. Brian Lanier has a nice sound on the sax. The ensemble sets into a samba-type groove with "Boogoo in Brazil", Marshall Keys swinging on alto . This is definitely one of the best and has a lot going on.

"One Night In A Storm," tells of a quiet storm, and gently flows with Keys tender sax leading into Valentino's guitar solo. The pace picks up a little for "Dark Horse," a soft jam, with Alejandro Lucini laying on some very nice percussion.

"Three Steps" is a really beautiful track; very melodic and ever so smooth.

Through it all, bassists, Gary Grainger and David Dyson lend support that enhances the sound, rather than pounding the other musicians out.

Reynolds and company deliver some pleasant sounds that I find hard to categorize. Good! That means it can be recommended to a variety of listeners. The disc is a nice combination of mood music and tight jams.

Listen up!

"When I listen to Dan Reynold's music on this CD, this movie starts playing in my head- I'm in an urban landscape and everything is cool, funky, romantic, pristine, bright, soulful, windy, beautiful.

I don't think that Dan has written a movie score yet but it wouldn't surprise me to see his name flash across the screen someday and his work reminds me a bit of Marc Shaiman who has composed some excellent film music.

Besides Dan on keyboards, this mostly instrumental CD features a variety of really excellent jazz/fusion players with lots of great soloing by different musicians.

All in all, this is wonderful CD, the kind of soundtrack I sometimes wish accompanied my life but I suppose my life isn't a movie.

Dan Reynold's 2 Bee Sure makes me wish it was." - Richard Isen, MOI "What separates keyboardist Dan Reynolds from a

"What separates keyboardist Dan Reynolds from a lot of contemporary jazz artists? For starters, he sounds as if he's truly enjoying himself and not just connecting the dots between fashionable backbeats..

"From the Top," the opening track, cleverly updates the organ combo sound with a now slippery, now brash mix of keyboards, sax, drums and percussion before segueing into a extended piano and bass-driven coda.

"Delafield Place" takes advantage of Vinny Valentino's fluid mastery of jazz guitar to help create a performance that moves elegantly between sparkling acoustic and electric balladry.

Singer Dawn Robinson, bassist Gary Grainger and saxophonist Brian Lanier coolly underscore the prevailing theme of camaraderie on "With My Friends," while saxophonists Marshall Keys, Peter Fraize and Al Williams contribute muted lyricism or a funky swagger to "One Night in a Storm," "Dark Horse" and Boogoo in Brazil." Except for Valentino's "One Night in a Storm," Reynolds composed all of the tunes on the album and arranged them in a manner that frequently showcases the talents of his bandmates, including drummers Greg Grainger and Francis Thompson.

"On "Never Alone", Dan Reynolds is at his best when he lets his freewheeling, melodic acoustic piano work shine through. The crisp production emphasizes and enhances the pure sound of the piano, acoustic guitar and high-end percussion, rendering Reynolds' solos on such tracks as "April Shower" and "Toll Free" truly dazzling"