Mirror

If Jacky Terrasson’s first solo piano release is a self-portrait — and it’s hard not to see it as such with a title like *Mirror* — it manages to capture the pianist from a variety of angles. When he tackles jazz classics such as “Caravan” and “Cherokee,” the results are complicated (for starters, both of these cuts are in 7/4). Terrasson’s interpretation of “Caravan” is restless: lines turn jagged, rhythms are drummed out on the piano lid, chords come crashing down; it’s as if he’s taking the piece apart to give it fresh life. On the up-tempo “Cherokee,” the pianist’s left hand shadows his right, creating a dizzying outpouring of notes. By contrast, Terrasson plays the standard “Everything Happens to Me” in a relatively straight forward manner, and his touching version holds its own against Chet Baker’s great take on the tune. Five tracks are originals and the material is impressive. “Juvenile” recalls the lyricism of Bill Evans while one section seems to allude to *The Flintstones*’ theme song. “Tragic Mulatto Blues” is clearly one of the album’s highlights. Terrasson, who is half-French and half African-American, digs deep into the blues rather than jazzing things up, and the rumbling bass part is a wonder of blues feeling.