Renee’ Michele - The Space Within (2019)

Reneé Michele returned to the mountains of Vermont to once again record her 6th album “The Space Within” as a follow-up to her acclaimed 2014 release, "Seasons of the Heart". The album was recorded under the guidance of ace producers Will Ackerman (Grammy-winning founder of Windham Hill Records) and studio engineer Tom Eaton (who also mixed and mastered the album). The Space Within proves that sometimes sequels are every bit as good, if not better, than their predecessors. Reneé's characteristic light touch on the keys, where nuance and tone are emphasized over drama and power, is on abundant display throughout the ten tracks.
A mixture of moods and evocations unwinds across all the selections, but the music maintains a calming sensation, whether the gentle somberness of the opening "My Angel," the haunting melody of "In the Mist," or the wistful reflective tone of "Life As a Cloud," Reneé Michele's goal is to capture the emotional essence of each composition and communicate it to the listener, which she does with ease. Will Ackerman states "Reneé Michele tells the truth. However remarkable her playing is, those prodigious talents are always in the service of heart. Though it easily could, Reneé's ego doesn't drive her. It is the soul of human emotion that inspires her and connects her with us in her new album, The Space Within.”
Wind and Wire's Bill Binkelman has this to offer about Reneés new album: "The Space Within is another hit from this talent-to-spare pianist. Listening to this album during one's special quiet time makes it feel like the artist is in the room playing just for you. Warmth, sincerity, and emotional richness flow forth from the first track to the last. It's a worthy successor to Seasons of the Heart, and we can only hope for more recordings to follow.”
All songs composed and performed by Reneé Michele. Guest artists include: Jill Haley (English horn), Charlie Bisharat (violin) Eugene Friesen (cello), Jeff Oster (flugelhorn), Will Ackerman (guitar), and Tom Eaton (bass and Hopi drum. Album was produced by Will Ackerman, engineered, mixed and mastered by Tom Eaton and recorded at Imaginary Road Studio.

Tracklist:

1. My Angel
2. In the Mist
3. The Space Within
4. Tabula Rasa
5. Aspire
6. Life as a Cloud
7. Montana Breeze
8. The Road Less Traveled
9. Trees of Vermont
10. Communion