He might slip under the radar these days more than he should, but the Brooklyn-based alto saxophonist-composer David Binney is a prolific and creative bandleader and followers of his set of recordings to date from the 1990s are gripped by the distinctively haunting quality of his writing. His reputation is high enough among musicians and his regular working sidemen in the past 20 years have included such east coast heavyweights as Chris Potter, Brian Blade, Wayne Krantz and Ambrose Akinmusire. Another recent cutting edge figure, Tyshawn Sorey, replaces Binney’s regular percussionist Dan Weiss for this, Binney’s fifth recording for Criss Cross. Binney has been named as a favourite jazz artist of Pat Metheny and as with the highly influential guitarist, the saxophonist is someone who thinks outside the box, looking to challenge but not alienate his audiences. On Lifted Land, the characteristic dry, zigzagging intensity of his alto solos and themes, which draws on contemporary classical and soul-funk idioms among others, is balanced by an airy song-like simplicity – he’s someone who regularly keeps an ear to the ground for good contemporary rock, electronica and pop. The album’s centrepiece is an 18-anda-half minute episodic suite that features the mesmerizing creativity of pianist Craig Taborn, another regular partner who’s as alert and responsive to Binney’s sound universe as the rest of the band.