Since 2010 Kathryn Kaye has managed to release an impressive album every year with the exception of 2012 when she did not release an album. This is a truly hectic rate of recording and despite this There Was A Time continues this streak courtesy of the same formula of mixing a few solo pieces with her collaborative work with the Ackerman A Team. And there is absolute nothing wrong with Kathryn Kaye’s latest recording that her fan base will clearly enjoy but one has to wonder if she has maximized this winning formula.

This time around there is only 2 solo pieces versus the 3 or 4 solo appearances we have seen on past recordings. They can be found on the reflective “Wind In The Aspen Grove” and “Bittersweet Goodbye”. Otherwise the remaining 8 tracks include 3 duets (2 featuring Eugene Friesen’s cello and then Jill Haley’s English Horn on the other) with the remaining 5 tracks including appearances from various members of Ackerman’s A Team session players.

There is nothing to dislike about There Was A Time as Kaye has managed to create another solid recording. However, her winning formula may have maximized its returns that maybe it is time for this commendable pianist to stretch herself creatively speaking.