Are You Ready?

Korean-raised pianist Jihee Heo possesses a deft touch not unlike Herbie Hancock. The compositions on Are You Ready (OA2 Records) reflect her music education, which took place in Amsterdam and New York City. Traditional jazz sounds that occasionally embrace elements of hip-hop keep listeners just a bit off-balance, which is the best place to find art. The rhythm section of Marty Kenny (bass) and Rodney Green (drums) swing with the best of them, giving Heo more than enough space to establish and cement her voice. The album ends in such a way that one can tell there is much more to come.