As with his ominous 2017 Grammy-nominated release, Bad Hombre, the New York based drummer-composer continues to fire political salvos at the anti-immigrant rhetoric of President Trump on the new release Lines in the Sand. The album title and cover art convey Trump’s proposed Mexican border, the issue that’s most relevant to the Mexican-born drummer. Sanchez’ Migration line-up (with the exception of Orlando Le Fleming replacing Matt Brewer on bass) made a big impact live at the Jazz Cafe at last year’s London Jazz Festival with the same material. The singer Thana Alexa, who’s also Sánchez’ wife, has the role of ‘instrumental’ vocalist rather than lead singer and her latin-influenced wordless vocal is an acquired taste when heard throughout the recording. That’s aside from the ballad ‘Home’ that has her lyrics reflecting on the migrant’s push and pull between roots and cultural identity. The album’s centrepiece, a pair of 20-minute suites – ‘Travesia’ in three parts and the ambient world-jazz title-track split into two sections – are the strongest tracks, while Matt Brewer’s Bitches Brew-ish minimal-funk bass is also a highlight of ‘Bad Hombre Y Mujeres’.