Born and bred in Birmingham (UK) Rich Batsford is a solo pianist who decided he "wasn't angry enough for Rock'n'Roll".
His music has the kind of serene, meditative qualities you would expect from a practicing Buddhist.
The spiritual dimensions of his music is clear from the fact that many of his live shows take place in Buddhist centres or churches and one track, Namaste, is named after the customary greeting in India.
Batsford's influences come from classical composers like Beethoven, Schubert and Eric Satie as well as modern ambient/minimalist artists like Harold Budd and Phillip Glass. One piece here So Steve, reflects his admiration for the repetitive and hypnotic rhythms of Steve Reich.
His website says this debut album was first released in 2009 and presumably is being re-promoted now to tie in with his new album of non instrumental songs, Mindfulness, released on 5th June 2012.
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Given that his compositions derive originally from improvisation you'd imagine they would be more suited to longer pieces but, personally I preferred the economy of two minute tunes like So Steve and Jewel as well as the even briefer vignettes Lyndall (O.55), Five Speed (1.08) and Chazzawakka (1.29).
The other tracks drift along in a soothing manner which is fine if you're looking for unobtrusive background music but disappointing if you want something more dynamic,.
Rich Batsford's website
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