Keep Moving is pianist Nick Farr’s fifth album to date, and is an ensemble recording that includes piano, keyboards, flute, guitars, sax, and trumpet. Bright and upbeat, I would classify it as more smooth jazz than new age, but there is plenty of room for crossover between the genres. The pace of most of the music is easy-going, but still has the feeling of moving forward. The album title comes from a highway sign that said, “Keep Moving - Change Lanes Later.” Farr says that he has adopted that as a philosophy and a way to live a better life. The South Carolina pianist was classically-trained from the age of five, and is also a published writer and poet.

The whole album is very enjoyable, but I have a few favorites. “Marina Pacifica” is one of the slower pieces, and is mostly piano, acoustic guitar, and light percussion. The mood is kind of a quiet slow dance, or maybe, as the title suggests, some time by the water at sunset? This is a real beauty! “Wintergreen” is a bit more electronic, but has a lovely sparkle to it. Very quiet and peaceful, there is a feeling of serenity, enhanced by Leah Golden’s flute. “Bumper Sticker” has an infectious rhythm, and I love the title! The musicians seem to be enjoying an inside joke on this one and you can feel them grinning. I also like “Lowcountry Boil,” a leisurely piece that suggests the easy pace, good humor, and attitude of the South.

Keep Moving is a great CD for unwinding, party music, or just feeling good. It is available from www.nickfarr.com, cdbaby.com, amazon.com, and towerrecords.com.