Such is the confluence of so many streams in Thompson's life that this exuberant release celebrates, you're already cheering before the title track's opening brass volleys blast you from the sofa. Thompson the player isn't on board, the challenges of Parkinson's which she's lived with for so long foregoing that pleasure, but the 10 compositions and arrangements are all spawned by her endless creativity. Moreover, three long-term Paraphernalia chums, Pete Lemer, Billy Thompson and Dave Ball are all on board. Billy is in especially ecstatic form, but then when doesn't Mr T do ecstatic? He lights up the title track then soars to astral planes on ‘Safe Houses’. This rioting re-arrangement of the Colosseum classic also features Ana Gracey's vox. Gracey of course carries the Thompson/Hiseman genes into the next generation, and youth is splendidly to the fore in the scintillating presence of NYJO. The band of course were the core of the 2019 tribute concert for Jon Hiseman, Ana's dad and Barbara's partner to whom the album is dedicated. And he'd have loved the attack, passion and power of NYJO's playing here: unfettered and fearless and featuring the Ridouts (sister and brother), this is virtuosic but never academic playing. And as I'm writing this in International Trombone Week, a special shout out to Dan Higham's ‘bone skills, notable on the fanfaric ‘Hero's Return’ and on the big swinging, aptly titled, ‘Jaunty’. No-one's bulletproof. Death and illness are ever present. But here's to life. Here's to Barbara Thompson.