“Beyond Our Dreams,” by pianist and singer-songwriter Anita Aysola, is an album that has it all. Few songwriters can boast of having both detailed poetic lyrics and a unique, instrumental sound.

Aysola showcases a brilliant mix of forms, including classical Indian and jazz. Instrumentally, the album is built on a fusion of Indian and Western styles, with Tabla and Indian vocal improvisations mixed with slick piano and drum parts. Aysola is a skilled improviser, with a masters knowledge of phrasing and a deft use of empty space. Her lines are often fast but serve the song. The listener never feels that Aysola is trying to beat them over the head with technical virtuosity.

The title track, “Beyond Our Dreams,” is a perfect example of Aysola’s triple threat potential as a songwriter, instrumentalist and vocalist. Ayosla’s own piano playing and her percussionist, Sameer Gupta’s, tabla are in perfect sync. The end of the song features a beautiful, tasteful piano solo which is immediately followed by an inventive vocal improvisation, proving that Aysola is a force to be reckoned with on both fronts. Aysola isn’t afraid to wear her influences on her sleeves, as manifested in songs like the New Orleans-tinged blues track “Bet on Us.” The song has a musical theater style polish to it with a beautiful backing chorus. Aysola’s detailed lyrics add heft to the song, as she describes how friends come and go, that her body is breaking down with age and yet, she remains confident in her partner.

“Beyond Our Dreams” succeeds in crafting an instrumental fusion of Western and Indian music styles, but still manages to maintain a strong pop sensibility with catchy, melodic hooks.