A breezy day... the weather can't decide what to do.  Sometimes drizzle, sometimes sunshine.

This is the feeling one gets when spinning the new Richard Bliwas CD "Ghost." Moments of structure are interrupted with scattered free-form jazz improvisation.  Alto sax playfully frolics over beautifully played acoustic piano as Bliwas spins strange vocal stories with his soulful yet crisp voice.  Bits of bongo are used to provide percussion, and there is a hint of guitar on the album,  but Ghost is largely a piano/sax/vocal affair.

Bliwas could have used his skills to create a simple pop album, but instead he built a complex vocal/jazz record.  It's easy to imagine a track like "Winter Song" as a straight pop tune, but the frolicking sax and odd song structure will be most appreciated by jazz fans.  The instrumental track "Time Travel" is a standout track, as the haunting melody generates an interesting buzz.  The album's 16 tracks offer a variation on the piano jazz theme, including blues ("September Blues"), brief jazz interludes ("Red Thought" and "Interlude"), and six-minute plus improvisational jazz ("Reality").

Ghost is an album that will interest jazz vocal fans and perhaps be of interest to fans of experimental music.  It is expertly recorded and produced, and is a refreshing change of pace.

Sort of like a blustery autumn day.