As a successor to the impressive IM (Jazzland, 2007), pianist Bugge Wesseltoft continues to explore the powerful potential of solo performance. Like IM—and no surprise to those familiar with his seamless integration of technology into real-time performance on his New Conception of Jazz series—Wesseltoft uses sound processing and real-time looping to create a modernistic successor to Keith Jarrett's solo innovations. Pulling form out of the air as paramount, Wesseltoft may be less overtly virtuosic but shares Jarrett's ability to create much out of nothing. Wesseltoft continues to hone his particular skill at starting with a clean slate to create music with clear shape and progression.

Playing possesses some of Wesseltoft's most sparingly beautiful playing to date. The title track demonstrates an Erik Satie-like economy, in turns gently majestic and introspectively dark-hued, with decaying notes occasionally expanded by subtle processing to create slightly expanded landscapes. "Dreaming" begins even more evanescently, until a left hand ostinato evolves a soft pulse bolstered by Wesseltoft's use of the piano to create barely audible percussion. His integration of real-time sampling to evolve a cloud-like cushion for his spare and melodic pianism is like Harold Budd with a pulse.

Other tracks are more distinctly electronics-driven. "Singing" is based on ...

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