Wherever you find people still listening to solo piano recordings This Side of Forever is in the collection of many of them. The obscure and creative pianist from Washington D.C. re-entered the international music scene in 2011 with this double disc set featuring his original compositions. It has recently been re-released in the digital download world and is topping the playlists of many jazz lovers and fans of peaceful, flowing, yet creative piano sounds alike. This recording was simultaneously a return to the recording and performing arena for the eclectic pianist, and a departure from the sounds that he was producing when he stopped performing in 2000. Mark’s last offering in 1997 was an energetic fusion and jazz rock extravaganza entitled Suite For a Fish Out of Water, which seemed to propel him into a peaceful state of suspended animation as he was on hiatus from performing, recording and composing for almost a decade. A more seasoned, more confident pianist emerges on this two disc set. Those who are only now becoming aware of Mark Christopher Brandt are finding This Side of Forever to be a welcome example of both the “new and the old” from this musical vessel of God’s love.