Following 2020’s Buddhism-themed How Can We Wake? this fourth album from Josephine Davies’ Satori takes the saxophonist back to her Shetland-born roots. This is not manifested in ‘Celtic Jazz’ themes or rhythms, however: Weatherwards’ music more reflects Davies’ emotional relationship to the island’s geography and folklore. And, while previous Satori outings have been a trio with Dave Whitford’s bass and James Maddren drumming, for half of this set they are joined by pianist Alcyona Mick.

Adding a chordal instrument makes an interesting textural contrast between the more spacious trio and the quartet’s richer harmonic possibilities, showcased on the two fully improvised tracks, ‘Ronas Voe' and 'The Long Dark’.

As ever, Davies eschews overblown histrionics in favour of fluency and creative imagination, both of which she excels in, and Mick is happy to weave along with those ideas, notably in the impressionistic duet ‘The Simmer Dim'. The ensemble playing is equally impressive, however, and their collective improvisatory strength gives a vigorous live feel to tracks like 'Saxa Vord’ with Maddren’s smart drumming catching the nuances of Mick’s stylishly unexpected piano touches.

The trio is equally well represented, and the slower ballad ‘Hiraeth’ frames the leisurely confidence of a Whitford solo with the well-judged economy of Davies’ sax. All in all, Weatherwards is a collection of sophisticated compositions brought to life by assured improvisation.