A tweak of the personnel in Nat Birchall's latest ensemble brings a subtle but resonant shift in his fertile seam of late Coltrane- inspired spiritual jazz. Long-time associate, pianist Adam Fairhall is present once again, providing questing solos that frequently occupy the first post-head slot, setting a serious-as-your-life mood for Birchall to delve into. But the rest of the crew is new. Bassist Tim Fairhall stakes out the same kind of deep modal hooks that characterise the work of fellow Manchester-based musical seeker, Matthew Halsall. Drummer Johnny Hunter – better known for playing in avant-garde situations such as The Spirit Farm (with Adam Fairhall) – is in his element laying down exuberant grooves with plenty of bounce. And Christian Weaver adds an extra layer of depth with congas and African percussion, evoking Juno Lewis's contributions to Kulu Se Mama-era Coltrane as much as he does the mystical roots reggae that was Birchall's first musical love and route into spiritually-imbued sound. Birchall, for his part, is firmly in control with a cool authority and unshakeable sincerity. Half a dozen albums into his career, he's playing with more elegance than ever, offering wide, hollering outpourings of emotion and delicately controlled overblowing that bespeaks a fragile yearning.