This debut from the Devon-born, Birmingham-trained guitarist reveals a very personal musical landscape. The band line-up breaks the mould, and so do the tunes. ‘Folk Theme’ and ‘Beginning Of The End’ are adapted from a more ambitious double-band project called States, and represent not just the contrasting bands (one of strings/drums, the other horns/drums) but contrasting imaginary battlegrounds, the former more Game Of Thrones, the latter more Star Wars. They retain their ‘big band’ richness in these reduced arrangements. The sci-fi interest is also there in the guitar effects-enhanced ‘First Contact’ and ‘Drone’, while the more homely ‘Hygge’ and the nursery rhyme-like title track (complete with multiple whistling) provide comforting contrast. ‘Kickin' The Chicken’, inspired by visits to Malawi, has references to both Wes Montgomery and Sonny Rollins; ’Scratching The Itch’ is about addiction (Lee confesses to an addictive personality, which might explain why he is no mean guitarist and a pretty adept skateboarder too). The lack of a bassist is filled by Ferris's left-hand lines but also gives Foote and Palmer more room to move in the lower frequencies. Lee's arrangements provide generous improvising space but this music's real appeal is in its communal melodic flow. Lee picked up more from his African visits than just advice on how gently to move a sitting chicken from one's path, it seems. An album filled with wit, originality and delight.