When trumpeter Rory Simmons isn't touring and recording with Jamie Cullum, he's directing a huge bundle of creative energy into his diverse interests as leader of his now retired Third Stream large ensemble Fringe Magnetic and the Nordic jazztronica-inspired Eyes of a Blue Dog. Monocled Man is his most recent combo and it's up there with the best of them. It's a trio consisting of sonically inventive Troyka electric axe man Chris Montague and Kairos 4tet's Jon Scott, one of the best and most flexible young drummers to emerge from the scene recently. As is the case with Simmons' other projects, the written material is mostly built on melodically angular themes. Monocled Man is coming out of Simmons' more New York rock-influences with him citing Ralph Alessi, Cuong Vu and especially Dave Douglas. At times it also moves into the kind of avant-electric improv territory inhabited by recent Christian Scott recordings. With Montague's hallmark pedal-effected ambient loops, and David Byrne-ish angular garage jazz rock riffs – he'll cover the bass role too – and Scott's flexible work between contemporary and traditional beats, Monocled Man are another fierce contender (along with bands such as Montague's Troyka and the post-TrioVD Shiver) on the UK's thriving alt. electric jazz scene.