This is a compilation of sorts, branding itself as JunctQin Keyboard Collective. You expect this is going to be a little bit more academic than most discs, as it is a branded by Canada Council for the Arts. However, don't let that scare you away. I'll admit that piano is not one of my favorite instruments, but this album manages to make the piano interesting even to someone like me. I was not familiar with any of these artists so let's dive right in.

We start off with Alfred Schnittke’s “Hommage à Stravinsky, Prokofiev, & Shostakovich,” on which Schnittke is beating the piano like it owes him money. This is powerful and engaging (and a lot of fun!). This sets the stage for the rest of the disc. The next six tracks are Monica Pearce with “Chess Suite” for two pianos. Schroeder from Peanuts would be proud to be affiliated with such a piece. This manages to have a whimsical feel that really works with the sound of the pianos. If you didn't realize they were toy pianos, you would probably have a difficult time believing it. I would love to see this performed live. This alone was worth the price of admission.

Maurice Ravel follows it up with “Frontispiece,” which is a short, slow, peaceful number. Next up, Emily Doolittle gives us “Sorex (a celebration of untamed shrews)” which is an interesting piece, but not really pushing the envelope as far as experimental music goes, which is generally what people reading Chain D.L.K. are looking for. However, it is well done and interesting. Tomi Raisanen is up next with “Insiders” for grand piano played by three musicians. Now THIS is what I was looking for. People scraping the strings of the grand piano, plucking them, pounding on the piano itself, and of course playing the piano all makes for an interesting piece that really explores what the piano can do. Well done.

Next up we have Chris Thornborrow with “Interlocking No. 3,” which is interesting because it has just a hint of dissonance and a kind of muddiness to it, but not quite as much as Alex Eddington's “Big Muddy,” which is an often rumbly piece that provides a kind of stress test for the bass end side of the piano. Finally, Elisha Denburg’s “Welcome to Warp Zone!” for toy piano and Casio keyboard is a fantastic number that provides a fitting end to the disc. These are the end credits of the video game that roll after you have completely vanquished the final boss.

Overall this disk would be interesting for those who enjoy the piano. And even if you don't like piano, it's a good time. I especially appreciated the ones that really take it to the next level, like Raisanen, Pearce, Denberg, and Schnittke.