Downbeat Magazine
March 2007
(Man Out of Time)
“So here we have a youthful antiquarian in Reginald Robinson not only performing ragtime, but actually expanding the body of ragtime compositions by 20 original and quite appealing pieces”.
…“Robinson is the embodiment of original intent. The music here, though his own, is dedicated to protecting and extending the classical beauty of the form with its structural formalities intact”.
-John McDonough
JazzTimes
May 2007
(Man Out of Time)
…”The jazziest piece, number 13 in the lineup, is “Mr. Murphy's Blues” a jaunty tune named for Robinson's uncle, also a pianist. Other tunes including “Head Over Heels, Over You” and “The Amethyst” suggest European classical music inspiration. The Title tune has a strong Scott Joplin feeling, as does “Tears of Joy”.
It's obvious that Robinson is a fine craftsman of ragtime, writing multiple (and often contrasting) themes for the pieces, varying his pianistic expression from section to section and playing with clean, clear articulation. “The 19 th Galaxy”, the final piece, is a tour de force of his piano skills”.
-Owen Cordle
"By turns wistful and ebullient, the new CD from Chicago ragtime wizard Reginald Robinson helps explain why the visionary pianist won a MacArthur "genius" grant in 2004."
-Howard Reich