There's something intriguing happening immediately on this live record from septet Mr Noe: moody, chamber jazz plods along, which somebody–or something–mysterious is determined to take a swipe at. It's a theme that continues on this short album of originals from the pen of pianist and singer Andrea Bambini; his description of the septet as “living and playing in a constant state of transition” isn't too far off at all. These chamber compositions, recorded live at Pisa Jazz Festival, are pleasingly original: less constant transition, more periods of stasis that are pricked with unpredictability.

‘Fresco’ is short, splattered, and twinkly, title track ‘Mr Noe’ travels through melancholic chorales and sad marches before Bambini sings, then wails, through FX-laden electronics, Radiohead-style. There's always something slightly unusual going on, whether the ensemble passages on ‘Arto, The Please’ for muted trumpet and saxophones, or the frenetic tutti playing on bustling, punchy up-tempo track ‘Org’. A really engaging listen.