Keyboardist Michael Bluestein has made a name for himself in the Bay Area playing with artists such as guitarist Will Bernard (of TJ Kirk), drummer Steve Smith (of Vital Information and Journey), saxophonist Anton Schwartz, and vocalist Jacqui Naylor. He has also toured with Grammy Award winning artist Shelby Lynne, and Linda Perry of 4-Non-Blondes. Michael's keyboard work recalls legends like Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett, while evoking the simpler soul of Billy Preston. On his new CD "Wild World", he runs into diverse, yet always grooving terrain. This is a trio recording with Jon Evans (of Tori Amos's group) on acoustic and electric bass, Bay Area legend Jason Lewis on drums, and Michael on piano and fender rhodes electric piano. Original tunes like "Natoma", and "Pulsar" snake through drum "n bass rhythms, while his renditions of Steely Dan's "Black Cow", and Paul Simon's "Bridge Over Troubled Water" find Michael in a more funk, and gospel mood. His version of Cat Stevens' "Wild World" is an imaginative harmonic and rhythmic re-invention of the tune and one of the best on the CD. He also delivers a thoroughly swinging version of the standard "My Shining Hour". Also of note is a spirited version of Mcoy Tyner's classic "Effendi". This is truly a unique, diverse, and above all beautifully conceived and performed CD.