Alexis Ffrench - Dreamland (Sony Music)

Following his 2018 debut, Alexis Ffrench has released his new album, Dreamland.

Over 21 tracks the pianist provides a soothing soundtrack for these uncertain times. The influences on the album come from a wide spectrum including Stevie Wonder, Chopin, Bach and Beethoven.

Ffrench is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and was also a student at The Purcell School before graduating to the Guildhall School of Music.

The album starts off with the title track, Dreamland. It reminds me in a way of the Dream House music that Robert Miles did back in the day. Most of the tracks on the album are solely the piano though there are collaborations with the Royal Philhamonic Orchestra too.

There is even a gospel choir featured on the track One which breaks the mould of just having the pianist playing, whilst on These Days there is a bit of Beethoven woven into the mix.

It would be too harsh to call it background music, but I think that some of the restaurants that I have visited over the year could do a lot worse than play this album rather than some abstract jazz that many seem to favour.

After a long days work, put on this soothing album and you might just find that the magic of Dreamland awaits you.

I rate the album 3 out of 5