This ‘panoramic song cycle’ by San Franciscan bassist-composer Mezzacappa is inspired by Isabella Bird and other intrepid women travellers from the 19th and early 20th century. An artistic statement with a strong, coherent narrative drive, it is very well executed, as the themes of adventure, discovery and a kind of leap-into-the-unknown audacity are vividly conveyed by smart lyrics and an outstanding performance from vocalist Fay Victor. To a certain extent she plays Abbey Lincoln to Mezzacappa’s Max Roach insofar as she is a central narrator as well as singer in the suite, and her cogent theatricality enhances the work as much as her originality of tone and delivery. Having said that, the arrangements are also excellent. Mezzacappa has found a way of voicing woodwinds, strings and electronics to create a soundscape that evokes flight and plunge, swish aerial and funky subterranean movement with real skill. Shades of Sun Ra and Mingus colour the palette occasionally, but Mezzacappa’s star-studded ensemble – Mark Dresser, Myra Melford, Nicole Mitchell among others – has a resoundingly individual character that would probably translate well on stage. Indeed, Mezzacappa is a timely reminder that the west coast of America, beyond Kamasi et al, has a rich jazz heritage that we ignore at our peril.