In the third and final section of ‘Triptych’, the highlight of this outstanding album James Brandon Lewis’ quartet engages in a few tempo changes. The medium fast beat on which they started comes right down to ballad pace but it is much more than the shift of speed that catches the ear. The players suggest that the notes of the initially fast theme conspire to hang if not freeze in mid air and the effect is enchanting, making what was punchy and rhythmic languorous and melodic.

They then bring the pace right back up and the shock from the slumber hits hard. It is symptomatic of the vivid drama that permeates this new work which sees Lewis, an authoritative, stately saxophonist continue to make his quartet one of the most important bands in contemporary creative music. Its specific language, a compelling alloy of avant-garde and straightahead sensibilities that creates flexi-harmony and vari-rhythm, is steeped in history yet not trapped by any ready-made cliché. The ensemble sound can be tough, grainy and heavy, but also lyrical and plaintive, as exemplified by the beautiful gospel-tinged closer, ‘Elan Vital’, which betrays the known interest Lewis has for the music of Mahalia Jackson among others. This latest release further strengthens the argument that Lewis really is a modern-day tenor titan.