Bob Sheppard is one of the sharpest multi-reed players in contemporary jazz but he rarely fronts his own outfits in the recording studio, perhaps because he's in such demand as a session player and sideman: he's worked with the likes of Joni Mitchell and Stevie Wonder, as well as Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and, for a lengthy period, Freddie Hubbard. The Fine Line is the follow-up to 2011's Close Your Eyes, and it's full of fine, sinuous lines squeezed out of a variety of saxophones and flutes by the leader. The set is made up of six originals – five by Sheppard and one by double bassist Jasper Somsen, a chance meeting with whom at the 2013 Jazzahead networking event in Bremen, Germany ultimately spawned the project – and four covers, including Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin's ‘Thanks for the Memory’, which was Bob Hope's signature tune. The sound is light, but tight – the musical equivalent of a late-afternoon Californian ocean view perfectly framed by an A-list Hollywood movie director – the arrangements fluid but dense, allowing great contributions from the guests as well as the core quartet: vibraphonist Simon Moullier locks to perfection with the leader on the speedy opener ‘Edge of Trouble’; Maria Puga Lareo, Sheppard's other half, adds wordless vocals to the slinkily languid title-track.