The ever-enterprising Fairweather always seems to be on the lookout for fresh fields to conquer. And he usually succeeds. Here he presents a joyful eight-part suite conceived as his tribute to the English composer Delius (the Frederick of the album’s title) whose 150th anniversary occurred in 2012. In effect, what we have is Digby’s regular Half Dozen band’s re-workings of familiar Delius compositions (with the exception of ‘Old Man River’ a Delius favourite apparently and Harry Warren’s ‘Octoroon, included for its Delian harmonies), each given a detailed explanatory note by Digby himself in the album booklet. The album’s second part (labelled as ‘Frederick and Friends’) includes three archive performances by pianist Ralph Sutton of Bix Beiderbecke’s keyboard pieces, these thought to echo something of Delius’s lyrical sensibility, plus companion pieces by concert pianists Paul Guinery and Alan Rogers, together with Bix’s ‘In The Dark’ performed by trombonist Jack Teagarden’s 1961 band. Given that the Delius Society approved and supported the project, there can be no question of treading on the toes of Delius obsessives or any kind of sneering at ‘jazzing the classics’. Rather, that these treatments merit attention for what they are worth which is plenty. Given Digby’s mastery of brass effects and writing skills, allied to the swing fluency offered by Ashworth and bassist Skeat in particular, plus Stringle and Gower’s creativity, it can only be counted a triumph. From Ashworth’s opening chords and Stringle’s ethereal clarinet theme on ‘Brigg Fair’ it’s obvious we’re in for something special, even more so as the group eases into tempo and comes up with a jaunty melody, before the pace slackens and the piece ends. Stringle features again, this time on alto, his yearning sound embellishing a lovely re-reading of ‘Summer Evening’ with Gower, sturdy in solo, ahead of ‘On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring’, again adorned by Stringle’s pristine clarinet in duo with Ashworth. Perfect music and plenty of it.