The meaty tone, rhythmic focus and gutsy articulation that are hallmarks of Ed Jones’ approach to sax reflect dues paid with the likes of Incognito and Us3. Here, the UK saxophonist reveals himself as a cogent improviser with the tight-knit acoustic quartet that he launched in 2011 to explore the music of Wayne Shorter. Though Shorter's influence can still be felt, it is now one element of a palette whose modal colours are signposted by Ross Stanley's stark piano voicings and full-pedal pentatonic runs. But other influences come into play, from light-touch groove and muscular slow burns to angular interchanges and abstract flutters. The opening ‘Nomadology’ begins with a trenchant unison bass/piano riff worthy of late 1960s McCoy Tyner – the bridge morphs into latin-funk; later, Jones swells to a peak over full-blooded Stanley vamps. The twisty line of ‘Pandora's Box’ follows – it spins out over the steady walk of Riaan Vosloo's double bass. And midway through the set Tim Giles’ rumble and roll drum solo sets up Stanley and Jones to pile on both pressure and notes on ‘Marielyst’. In contrast, the delicate waltz ‘Solstice’ presents Jones in breathy, wistful mode and ‘Ebb and Flow’ lives up to its title by twisting from free-form abstractions to high-octane improv. Shorter's influence comes to the fore on the album's single song, ‘Starbright’. Here, Brigitte Beraha's vocals slur syllables, stretch lyrics and interweave with Jones’ soprano sax. It captures the American's oblique aesthetic to a T.