Colin Heshmat makes a strong first impression with his debut studio album, “Elastic Groove.” Across eleven tracks, the young New York-based pianist blends original compositions with familiar jazz standards, giving the record plenty of character and room to improvise. Joined by Ryo Sasaki on trumpet, Yuma Takagi on bass and Ben Cliness on drums, he has a quartet that works particularly well together. The album opens with “Sea Breeze”, a relaxed and inviting piece built around a lovely melody. Sasaki’s mellow trumpet sounds right at home alongside Heshmat’s piano, making for a pleasant start to the record. Things get livelier on “Corner Spot”, a blues-inspired composition with interesting piano passages and a strong post-bop feel. The title track, “Elastic Groove”, is another highlight. Written for Heshmat’s wife, Olivia, it has an energetic jazz waltz arrangement that brings a different kind of movement to the album.
One of the record’s more interesting parts is the two-part “Center Street Theme I” and “Center Street Theme II.” Both pieces came from Heshmat’s experience serving jury duty, but they take quite different musical directions. The first is more adventurous, with assertive playing and advanced harmonies, while the second offers a quieter, more thoughtful performance. “Ember” follows with a quick-moving melody and a lovely drum solo from Cliness. Then comes “Morning in Midtown”, a particularly enjoyable composition in 5/4 time. Its gentle melody and warm piano and trumpet passages give it a relaxed, cheerful character.
The album also offers plenty to enjoy in its selection of jazz standards. Heshmat gives “Just Friends” a fresh interpretation while keeping its familiar melody and swing. His trio version of Kenny Dorham’s “Blue Bossa” brings some interesting ideas to the well-known composition. “Systems” takes a different route, beginning with a mechanical feel before opening into a modal arrangement with a steady, engaging rhythm. The album finishes with Herbie Hancock’s “Cantaloupe Island”, an energetic performance featuring excellent solos from Sasaki and Heshmat, along with a strong contribution from Takagi on bass. I really enjoy how the quartet interacts across these eleven tracks. Each musician gets moments to shine, and the variety between the compositions keeps the listening experience interesting. I also like the personal touches behind some of the original pieces, which add extra character to the album.
“Elastic Groove” is a strong debut from Colin Heshmat and a lovely introduction to his work as a pianist and composer. The combination of original material, familiar standards, and four musicians who clearly work well together makes this an album worth spending time with. If you enjoy modern jazz, follow Colin Heshmat and keep an eye on his future releases. Give “Elastic Groove” a proper listen, explore all eleven tracks, and add your favorites to your playlist. Whether you are already familiar with contemporary jazz or simply enjoy discovering new musicians, this album is well worth checking out. Share it with someone who appreciates good piano-led jazz, and add Colin’s music to your regular listening rotation.
