There’s been considerable crossover already between these superb musicians. Tim Berne, usually heard introducing hints of Stax soul into his avant-garde jazz, featured Smith on drums when he toned things down for this ECM debut as leader (2012’s Snakeoil), for instance, while Smith also plays drums with Mary Halvorson, one of the most surprising guitarists of her generation. That shared experience is fundamental here, as the band zigzags through Smith’s compositions like a canoeist in the rapids. This is music of emotion, not irony – even if there’s a hint of mischief in there too. One second it’s latin groove, the next the band seems to be falling down the stairs. Then it’s wonkily danceable, then slow-mo gloop funk. To move as one through such changes requires empathy and experience, as well as serious chops. In the hands of these five musicians, jazz is once again as the sound of surprise.