The great Devon-born saxophonist John Surman is someone who tends to favour the familiarity and intimacy of long-term collaborations. This trio release on ECM, the first since 2012’s Saltash Bells, is brand new, but their rapport is such that it sounds like a musical liaison between old acquaintances from the 73-year-old’s astonishing career to date. His partners are lesser-known names in the world of jazz: Brazilian pianist Nelson Ayres and the Norwegian-based, American ex-pat percussionist Rob Waring. Invisible Threads could be described as an album of two halves. An exquisitely minimalist recording, the first six out of 12 tracks have an inquisitive, imploring, meditative tone, leaning towards the pastoral, classical and North European folky flavour of Surman’s output since 1979 on ECM especially. The tone in the second half becomes warmer, more uplifting, reflecting perhaps the Brazilian Ayres’ contribution, penning one composition, ‘Summer Nights’, among Surman’s originals. Ayres is unassuming and elegant in a supportive role and has little interest in showing what he’s got, adding colourful nuances to Surman’s gripping sax song-like themes. While Waring’s marimba creates a rich, deep earthy texture in liaison with Surman’s hauntingly bucolic baritone. Surman shows no signs of coming down from the numerous creative peaks to which he has climbed in the last half century and this is a very worthwhile addition.