Ornette's recent struggles with ill-health have been well documented so this comes as a breath of fresh air, a reminder of the great man's greatness even at this late stage of his career. Guest of honour in the duo formed by trumpeter Jordan McLean and drummer Amir Ziv, the alto saxophonist sounds vital if slightly mellow on this 2009 date. Furthermore it poses an intriguing question: what would have happened if Ornette, of whom Miles said ‘I didn't think he was that hip’, had taken part in the Bitches Brew sessions? That is not the key agenda stated here yet a sense of the dark prince's skulking, dubbed up ambiances largely frames much of the material, especially when McLean launches into his mistiest legato phrases. Having said that the ensemble also enters distinctly raucous territory that draws as much on Ornette's storied R&B roots as it does on contemporary global electronica. ‘If It Takes A Hatchet’ sees the ensemble cut provocatively into a Byrne-Eno Bush Of Ghosts hinterland that is full of bumpier rhythmic trails. Although the spotlight will understandably fall on Coleman, who is less verbose and shrill but still as moving as ever, the performances of the other members of the band are by no means ancillary. The crisp, slightly rock-ish character of Ziv's drumming and the concise but potent chording of Adam Holzman bring much to the ensemble sound. Bass-less but by no means brawn-less, New Vocabulary reveals that there is still a great deal of life in old as well as new warriors.