Are You Ready?

Jihee Heo, a pianist who has been working in Korea after studying in Amsterdam and is currently working in New York, released a new album Are You Ready? on the OA2 label based in Seattle at the end of last year. In fact, for this writer who did not have a chance to see her debut album Passion, this work released on OA2 was quite attractive enough to satisfy his curiosity about her, and the reason for this may be the excellent composition/arrangement above all else. Contained in this record are 8 songs receiving inspiration through a thesis about Robert Henry, a well-known known American realist writer. The process of transferring these inspirations through musical texture is clearly executed and essential, as expressing these original tunes through performances would not be smooth if the foundation was not solid.

"Are You Ready?," which starts with a provocative feeling, offers a complete staging with her wild and flowing performances and unique narration that penetrated the New York jazz scene, and personally reminds me of Robert Glasper's early performances. In particular, "Blurring The Blues" is a song that shows her overall capabilities very well, and shows the charm of a trio that leads to interplay - solo. Through "Trust," which expresses the frustration that she first felt while promoting in New York, through rapper Saidou Ezike, and "Oh, New York" that followed, she expresses her experiences in New York. And the last song "Letter To A Little Girl" ends the journey with a beautiful piano solo in the form of sending a letter to herself. The album is co-produced with talented drummer Rodney Green, whose solid and excellent rhythm management makes Jihee Heo's piano performance shine, along with bassist Marty Kenny. This is a work that captures the attention of pianist Heo Ji-hee for the future.

*translated from Korean