‘This is a suite of beautifully expressive contemporary moods from a pianist equally at ease in a delicate formal classical approach to subtly swinging jazz themes. It’s a captivating musical odyssey tinged with a bittersweet melancholy. I urged you to join Stephen. J. Wood on his journey into the Hinterland and immerse yourself in a compelling blend of classical lyricism with boppish jazz influences. An immaculate pianist who is, in his own words, “exploring the Third Stream”. 

Sarah Ward, Jazz FM

“This is an extremely beautiful piece of writing – well shaped melodic lines, a great understanding of the piano and an enviable harmonic sophistication. As well as early 20th century composers, I can hear an influence of modern jazz throughout, with the parallel 7ths and rich substitutions.”  

Camden Reeves, Composer and Lecturer in Composition at the University of Manchester.

"You can't help but feel that Steve is pouring his heart out here as the depth of emotion on 'Hinterland' is something seldom matched in any jazz recording that I've heard. The album has that rare quality of unpredictability forged by the density of the layers and textures. You can go back to it time and time again and hear new voices and ideas appear that somehow passed you by the first time round, a feature not easily achieved on solo piano. It's never clear which way he will turn next as the music moves through jazz, song, Celtic, ballad and classical feels, switching in intensity at will, all seamlessly woven together and exquisitely performed. Occasional bebop lines and fluid improvisations are punctuated by thematic material that reappears in a new guise only to give way to the next avenue the listener is lead down. Perhaps the biggest compliment I can give is that I honestly can't think of anyone else who could have made this beautiful record." 

Henry Botham, UK Jazz Pianist