Though based in Germany since the 1980s, multi-instrumentalist Bob Downes will forever be associated with underground London of the late-1960s and 70s – and particularly the easy intersection of jazz, blues and rock that characterised that time and place: a milieu that gave birth to subsequently more famous progressive groups such as Jethro Tull. Indeed, it wouldn't be far-fetched to suggest that Tull's Ian Anderson was also influenced by (or at least aware of) Downes' quite dazzling simultaneous flute/vocal technique. All the tracks here take inspiration from his experiences in New York, and a noirish vibe runs through the whole date. Sadly, there's something a little corny about Downes' persona on the vocal tracks – a dated conception of cool, delivered in a daft faux-American accent. But Paul Rutherford's trombone makes up for it, as he rises to the challenge of evoking New York, with a moan reminiscent of key passages on Mingus's The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady.