Donegan’s Irish Sextet albums have been reviewed here before, and always favourably. Now comes We Will Meet Again, Sometime, the personnel constant across all his Irish albums bar the inclusion this time of the brilliant guitarist Hugh Buckley, a cousin to the stalwart brothers Michael and Richie. Donegan thinks this recording may be the first including all three kinsmen.

All 12 compositions are by Donegan, the opener ‘Blues For A Few Bucks’, a declamatory piece with a jubilant, inclusive sound, each man soloing with style and real energy. Donegan says his line-up ‘represents the cream of Irish jazz’ and who would doubt it on this evidence. He’s impressive himself on a pair of solo piano performances, these included at album producer Bernard O’Neill’s behest and elegantly done, ‘The Waters of Glencar’ evoking the serenity of the location in question, while ‘La Vita e Bella’ is pure improvisation.

Hamilton’s bright tone and attack is a standout throughout, the crisp writing allowing his trumpet lines a pleasing degree of prominence.

‘I’m Just Nearby’, is a feature for Michael B’s perfect flute, while ‘Rendezvous’ is rather more turbulent and ‘Edgy Moments’ gives Hamilton and Richie B their openings to take off over Daly’s also stop-start time, before ‘Round and About’ allows both Buckley horn men to play tag with the theme. What with ‘A Ballad for Louis’, Donegan’s sombre yet heartfelt tribute to the late Louis Stewart and the rather touching ‘Little Miss Cleo', for his youngest grandchild, it’s a packed and varied programme coupling fine writing and striking playing by these Irish superstars.