ELIANE ELIAS
The Beat Of My Heart (Blue Note)
Rating: 6 out of 7
By Naisha Walton

     Pianist Eliane Elias and her well-acquainted trios maintain a soft fullness of sound on this recording, the latest in her 10-year career with Blue Note. The jazz is straight-ahead and bluesy, and quick to boogie-woogie (the band's already “Bowing to Bud” Powell at the first fade-out). Marc Johnson, former Steps Ahead bandmate/Christian McBride (bass), Jack DeJohnette/Carl Allen (drums), and Rodney Jones (guitar) are ready, willing and able to swing. 
     As a vocalist, Ms. Elias expounds solely on the subject of love. “Blah Blah Blah” is at once a humble offering of song to a lover and a clever swipe at cookie-cutter swoons. There is a refreshing self-mocking humor and tender vulnerability in her tone, akin to fellow Brazilian A.C. Jobim's “Off-Key (Desafinado).” Her skills in emotive playing, composing, arranging and singing are just as harmonious, making her one of the finer innovators in jazz.

Eliane Elias: All recordings courtesy of Blue Note Records.  “Everything I Love” written by C. Porter, courtesy of Chappell & Co. Inc. (ASCAP). “I Fall In Love Too Easily” written by S. Cahn and J. Styne, courtesy of EMI Feist Catalog Inc. (ASCAP).  “Bowing To Bud” written by E. Elias, courtesy of Pandamanium Music (BMI).