Straugh's music blends accessible nostalgic warmth with an adventurous unconventionality...  The result is a recording which challenges the listener, without being overly intellectual and still evoking an emotive, human response…  If you long for something fresh sounding, The Road Less Traveled is one road you should consider taking.
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Starting from an approach based on the most romantic side of current instrumental music and with the piano as the protagonist, Michael Straugh incorporates most adequately classical elements, influences from such musicians as George Winston, as well as subtle shades of the most melodic side of Jazz, thus shaping a work with great expressiveness. Melodies that connect at once, rhythms at times calm, at times more lively, yet always fresh, and a quite personal focus, allow the artist to display his creativity without obstacles.
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MongoKnowsRecords gave a score of 10 / 10. Comments were:
Most excellent. Michael Straugh's "Ekta" is from a dream. Gentle warm winds sweeping down a high plains grassland, basking in a pale blue moonlight slowly rising from a distant horizon. There is just something that comes from the sound of a real Grand Piano - alone - by itself complete. Every note - the interplay of meter between the bass line and higher keys... fabulous recording - perfectly done. Perfect execution. We should all wish we could play this well. Out of 9 Bonez - Mongo give 72
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