Since starting out as a founding member of the inspirational, recently resurrected 1980s Brit collective Loose Tubes, Julian Argüelles has slowly acquired a considerable reputation as a writer-arranger for a number of prestigious large European ensembles. At the same time, Argüelles’ tenor/soprano sax, specifically its atmospheric, vocal-like qualities, lends itself most readily to leaner and more intimate instrumental formats. One of his most successful and intuitive onand-off small group engagements since the 1990s is with the Portuguese pianist Mario Laginha, who’s best-known for his work with singer and compatriot Maria João. Laginha is the central composer on this new trio collection, Setembro, penning eight out of 10 tracks, with the others bearing Arguelles’ signature. Laghina’s opener ‘Mãos Na Parede’ embodies the album’s central idea of setting contrasting passages of a reflectively lyrical song-like nature against infectiously reeling European folk dance rhythms, in which the Norwegian percussionist Helge Andreas Norbakken catches the ear with his unassuming yet forceful contribution. One of the highlights, Laginha’s hypnotic ‘Serralves’ has Argüelles drawing on the spirit of Stan Getz’ watery yet rhythmically darting sax on the LP Focus, with just Norbakken’s gently whipped percussive groove for company; ‘Coisas Da Terra’ combines a quick-stepping theme, tender purrs on soprano sax and a tantalising Jarrett-ish piano solo with hypnotic effect, while the sax’s mournful tone on ‘Yada Yada’ hints at a connection to the aforementioned pianist’s 1970s European Quartet. It’s an elegantly soulful slice of contemporary Euro-jazz.