It’s been a while. Gouache in 2012 was a welcome return from pianist Terrasson with its populist covers and above all Cécile McLorin Salvant an inspired guest on John Lennon’s ‘Oh My Love.’

There’s a Lennon (and McCartney) connection this time around on Take This recorded in a Paris studio in September 2014 in the inclusion of ‘Come Together,’ as well as two contrasting versions of ‘Take Five’, take the operative word from the title track down, a trio treatment of ‘Blue in Green’ probably the pick of the whole album for me (although it is mistakenly annotated as a solo piece in the sleeve note listing, the subsequent sleeve notes blotted by typos – Gotze anyone?).

Singer Sly Johnson is the singer/human beatbox guest beefing up the basic trio setting on a number of tracks, his vocalese on opener ‘Kiff’ buoyant and perky tracking Terrasson step-by-step before the pianist moves into vintage territory even moved to quote ‘Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town)’, the first jaw-dropping moment, of which there are quite a few.

Terrasson is with bassist Burniss Travis and drummer Lukmil Perez with Adama Diarra providing added percussion on some tracks, and the populist gimmick this time is a cover of Gotye pop hit ‘Somebody That I Used to Know.’ Far less gimmicky, actually not at all, is the bustling version of Bud Powell’s ‘Un Poco Loco’ the switch to Fender Rhodes fast and furious, real heat from drums and percussion.

Hand on heart this is not as satisfying as Gouache even bearing in mind the enhanced pianism as always from such a world class jazz pianist as Terrasson. But the more you listen the better it gets, a much more preferable situation to enjoying an album at first and then going off it after a while. Maybe it’s the over-familiarity of ‘Take Five’ at the centrepiece that gave me cold feet a little even though both versions are fresh and original-sounding.

Having said all that there is still plenty to enjoy nonetheless, and the pianist’s subtle use of electronics in places and above all the sheer joy in the playing and spirited interpretation of the tradition in transition tackled from a contemporary perspective is enough to retain your interest throughout. Stephen Graham

Released in the UK & Ireland on 16 March