Now 43, Colligan has been recording – on umpteen keyboard instruments and with various sized combinations – for Nils Winther’s SteepleChase label since 1995. Following some dates with the great Jack DeJohnette, this particular set has been in the can for two years. For whatever reason, there were no rehearsals and the whole album had to be recorded in a half-day with everyone sight-reading material they’d never seen before. The four had also never played together as a unit. But the result is a joyous, fresh-sounding session with lots of spontaneity with seven new Colligan originals plus a 1980s hit for Joe Jackson. Colligan is always an exciting, inspiring soloist and his tunes here cover many moods, mostly sprightly swinging songs with strong melodies and nice changes, which everyone seems to enjoy playing on. Jaleel Shaw again impresses with strong, passionate solos and a great sound. Koslov and Edwards had worked together many times with the Mingus Big Band and play with swing and freedom throughout. A special word for Colligans’s excellent liner notes, which display his sardonic sense of humour, which is also often apparent in his playing.