As the figurehead of the contemporary West Coast scene that achieved worldwide exposure on the back of his 2015 set The Epic, Kamasi Washington generates expectation with every release.

After a run of consistently good albums he ups the ante with what could be the best since his debut. Although not overly guest-heavy, the set counts appearance by the likes of P-Funk legend George Clinton, newbie BJ The Chicago Kid and versatile multi-instrumentalist Terrace Martin.

Crucially, their respective inputs do not make the music too disparate, as can sometimes be the case when there are features galore. The distinct theme here is dance and the overriding ensemble sound is pitched in an interesting space between lyrical jazz that occasionally leans to African traditions, as in the opener ‘Lesanu’, which is based on Ethiopian devotional chants, and the soulful funk that is integral to black America.

A wily re-harmonisation of Zapp’s electro-groove classic ‘Computer Love’ is a welcome curveball; but elsewhere the syncopation that gives the songs a stimulating flow of energy suits their predominantly spiritual subtext. While Washington solos with customary verve, it is the well-executed ensemble vocal choruses that stand out as they cleverly echo legends such as Leon Thomas, Pharoah Sanders and Sun Ra. Although not radically overhauling his sound, Washington nonetheless shows the kind of creative maturity that stands him in good stead for the next stage of his career.