Joel Goodman may not be familiar name in the jazz press, but the cast list of this album, his debut under his own name, certainly contains a fair share of NYC big hitters. Goodman has made a very successful career for himself as a provider of music for other people, writing and scoring for hundreds of documentaries and adverts, picking up an Emmy along the way, and providing other high-end examples of what might be called ‘production music’. Now he’s at the helm of his own creative project – a contemporary fusion of accessible grooves, carefully written melodies and slick group improvisation.

As you might expect, it’s heavy on atmosphere, with tracks like ‘What Dreamers Dream’ and ‘Drifting In Wonder’ laying down moody, minor-chord textures that are embellished by the considerable talents of Donny McCaslin and John Patitucci. By contrast, ‘Rumi And The Whirling Dervish’ is a more conventionally punchy jazz-rock affair, with McCaslin and Eric Harland blowing up an absolute fusion storm against a backdrop of raucous guitars and sweeping strings. 'Mystery Of Trees’ has some fine Brecker blowing over acoustic guitar, and ‘Astral Projection’ is a suitably grandiose, lushly orchestrated extended closer with some fine work from guitarist Adam Rogers.

There’s lots of room in the engagingly loose structures for terrific playing from all concerned, and Goodman is certainly a master at mood and colour. Top marks for ambition and execution, though as of yet most of the character comes from the participating musicians: Joel Goodman’s own distinct musical personality is harder to identify.