Curiously packaged in that the first part of the release, Book 1: Degrees is a universal release, while Book 2: Steps is only for Greenleaf music subscribers. This is meant to reflect Douglas’ wish for his music to remain as ‘independent’ as possible from the music ‘industry’. Either way, each release follows on last year's Secular Psalms, with Douglas going directly to Psalms 120-134 for inspiration.

This, of course, is Douglas’ stellar quintet that's grown so intimate over their 11 years together. But what makes this recording different is that it was recorded remotely, a challenge for a band who thrive on their collaborative feel. And to be honest, there is a certain stiff-leggedness in the performances you don’t readily associate with the band. But equally there is also a riot of improv. For example, ‘Deceitful Tongues’ may begin with an appropriately rising figure, but like Mae West's Snow White it soon drifts big time into a babel-fest of group improvisation.

Likewise ‘Lift Up My Eyes’ leaps up a scale like kids hurtling up a spiral staircase two steps at a time, only for Oh to go spectacularly in the other direction. And of course there are jewels of performances. Oh again is delicious on ‘Sceptre’, while Douglas is thoughtfully ecstatic on ‘Enthroned’ and by contrast soars for earthly heavens on ‘Mouths Full of Joy’.

Perhaps there's a sense of being hemmed in by the overall concept, although the harum scarum ‘A Fowler's Snare’ finds Irabagon and Douglas frantically pursuing each other - who's the hunter? Who's the prey? - as it channels the anarchy this band plies so well. Given the context, another rich release from a group now reaching, as fits the subject matter, iconic status. But future releases will doubtless profit from them sharing time and space and earthly delights again.