British listeners might know 63-year old trombonist Anderson best as a former sideman in Sonny Rollins' touring bands. He is the great man's nephew, after all. It turns out, of course, that there is rather more to Anderson than that. He has performed with a variety of ‘name’ employers apart from his uncle, not least Frank Foster and McCoy Tyner and this is his fourth album as a leader and, in this case, as the principal composer.

The eagle-eyed will have spotted players among Anderson's listed associates who also toured with Rollins. This is first manifest with ‘Mission Statement’, with Scott forceful on piano, the theme like a clarion call, Anderson supple technically and succulent tonally, while exhibiting Curtis Fuller-like mobility as he solos. Scott gives strength to seven of these tracks, with Alexander, Adams and Unno confined to one each, while the superb Williams is the dominant bassist. Anderson has given his pieces a programmatic identity: some like ‘Sista Gemini’ dedicated to a family member, others like ‘T.U.B.C.’ featuring the very lively Alexander, for Anderson's late mentor, bassist Bob Cranshaw. ‘In It But Not Of It’ which aims at a higher force is a jaunty thing, with more fine Scott piano, Anderson building capably. ‘Sonny Says’ for Rollins is Anderson's most telling composition, fast-moving, McLean prominent on tenor, the whole feeling quite exultant. All goes well throughout, the title track featuring the fruity sound of Andy Bey's sole vocal with some discreet harmonising from the backing singers. An intriguing calling card for Anderson overall with only ‘Mysticancients’, a rambling duet between Anderson and McLean playing tribal instruments, the odd item out.