Boundless is the second solo piano release from Tim Glemser, whose debut, Painted Echoes, was one of my Favorite CDs for 2012. This collection of fifteen original pieces and one original arrangement goes in a somewhat deeper and more dramatic direction than the first album, but also includes music that can soothe the soul and stimulate the imagination. Boundless firmly places Tim Glemser among the best new artists of contemporary solo piano.

Glemser earned a BA in Music from Arizona State, and as much as he enjoyed studying and playing the classics, he really wanted to play music like George Winston, Michael Jones, and David Lanz. That’s what inspired him to start composing his own music. Boundless was recorded and mastered at Piano Haven Studio, now located in Sedona, AZ, as was Painted Echoes. The sound quality is impeccable with a warm, inviting piano tone and crystal clarity that never becomes too bright or harsh.

Boundless begins with “Atlantis Awakes,” a lyrical and colorful piece that tells an epic tale through a variety of themes and melodies - a very effective start! The title track is a gently energetic piece that expresses joy with perhaps a touch of innocence. “Northern Lights” is graceful and magical, but “Sea Spells” is my favorite track. Dramatic and full of yearning, Glemser paints vivid pictures of the many moods of the ocean by varying his touch - calm and serene to dark and stormy - with sonic colors to match. “Tree of Life,” another favorite, has a beautiful languid flow and seems more reflective than the pieces before it - perhaps a late-night piano soliloquy. “The Widow’s Waltz” is a slow, eloquent expression of grief and loss - another favorite. “Once Upon a Time” takes us from despair to a lighthearted fairy tale as told to a child. “Song Without Words” again tells a story via a variety of musical themes woven together to form a colorful tapestry of sound - compelling and poignant. Who has never been moved by Simon and Garfunkle’s recording of “Scarborough Fair”? An English ballad that is a couple of hundred years old and one of my favorite songs, Glemser’s arrangement is gorgeous. “Before Dawn” is expressed with such a soft-spoken tenderness that it can’t be only about the early morning hour. Love and contentment overflow with a sense of perfect peace. “Close Your Eyes” ends the album with a gentle, hypnotic lullaby - and a deep sigh.

Boundless is an excellent second effort and is available from timglemser.com, Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby. Recommended!