Joseph Akins - A Southern Sun (2013)

A Southern Sun is the fifth solo album from pianist-composer Joseph Akins, and the first of all new originals in over four years (Spirit Touch was released in 2009 and A Piano Christmas in 2011). A Southern Sun includes fourteen tracks of original piano solos all composed, performed and recorded by Joseph. “I wanted this album to reflect my southern roots more than my previous albums”, says Joseph. Tracks such as “A Southern Sun”, “A Tennessee Morning” and “Watertank Hill” leave no doubt that this solo artist is a Tennessee native. However, this collection does not lack variety. Tracks such as “Along Stones River” and “An Inspiration” are traditional solo piano, whereas “Dancing on the Sea” and “Muscadine Wine” give the listener a taste of jazz. “I wanted this album to be strictly piano”, says Joseph. From top to bottom, there is only one instrument heard - a grand piano.