Push

With 2010’s *Push*, pianist Jacky Terrasson has fashioned an excellent slice of post-bop, leading a consistently engaging trio that includes bassist Ben Williams and drummer Jamire Williams. “Gaux Girl”’s opening section has a bluesy, gospel-like feel evocative of Keith Jarrett, and later in the track Terrasson’s solo brings to mind ‘60s Herbie Hancock. “Beat It/Body and Soul” inventively brings together elements of the Michael Jackson hit and the American Songbook standard; the last part of the cut breathes fire. A lyrical cover of Thelonious Monk’s “Ruby My Dear” spotlights guest Gregoire Maret’s harmonica. Maret also appears on the upbeat “Say Yeah,” with Terrasson on vocals and guests Matthew Stevens on guitar and Cyro Baptista on percussion. The core trio swings fiercely on one of the best cuts here, a version of Cole Porter’s “You’d Be So Nice to Come Home To,” while “Carry Me Away” is a meditative piano piece abetted by Williams’ electric bass and Baptista’s subtle work. The album closes with “O café, o soleil,” a high-energy, Latin-flavored cut decked out with charged percussion and Terrasson’s vocals.

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This set feels warmer, more musical and more mindful of its materials than previous outings, as well as emitting bursts of headlong energy that make you whoop, writes <strong>John Fordham</strong>