The last two Gearbox releases by Abdullah Ibrahim are by his octet Ekaya (The Balance, 2019) and solo piano (Solotude, 2020). This charming album sits instrumentally in between those, with Ekaya’s multi-reed player Cleave Guyton and its versatile bassist/cellist Noah Jackson forming a trio that explores a variety of textures and timbres.

Recorded at London’s Barbican Hall, both before and during their summer 2023 concert there, we get a variety of instrumentation – Ibrahim’s piano framing a long bass and flute duet in Ellington’s ‘Solitude’, Jackson exploring ‘Giant Steps’ as a solo bass feature, and the chamber jazz fusion of flute, cello and piano on ‘Mindif’. Old favourites are revisited, including a sparkling version of ‘Water From an Ancient Well’ that sounds like Ekaya in miniature. The pre-concert tape session reveals a set of short pieces including a version of ‘Mindif’ that contrasts with the one played for the audience. But the meat of the album is in the live concert and the way the band’s rapport with the audience seems to leap out of the grooves. ‘Nisa’ is a catchy theme prompted by a repeated bass figure, ‘Tuang Guru’ shows off Guyton's spectacular piccolo playing, and ‘Dream Time’ expands the piano solo miniature on the earlier album of that name. All in all, a new format for Ibrahim’s ever-inventive talent, and a very rewarding listen.