The studied rhythms, controlled use of space and changing tempos put this set of Chillingworth originals on the avant side of funk. Add in a jousting four-horn frontline mixing saxophone phonics with the muted sonorities of clarinets and all the ingredients for quality downtown jazz are in place. Chillingworth's compositions deliver long twisty lines and thumping counterpoints, resonant voicings and a slightly bucolic Englishness that reminds me of Mike Westbrook's writing. ‘Butterman’ tip-toes daintily into alto saxophonist Chillingworth's first solo, builds to a tenor sax roar and ends with an angled cadence, ‘Mint’ churns along restlessly before relaxing into a mélange of clarinets, while ‘Numbers’ enters low key, builds to a climax of competing horns and plays out with a tightly-argued angular theme. Indeed, all the eight themes impress with their interlocking rhythms and contrasting tones, while there's enough harmonic movement for the soloists to get their teeth into. And articulate, precise, and rarely repeating solos give the compositions a nice flow and sense of direction. My only reservation is that, taken as a whole, the angular counterpoints and jagged edges get a bit relentless.