Saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist Paul Dunmall has chalked up over a century of albums since his first session as a leader in 1986. His latest, the debut release of percussionist Dave Balen’s Winged Heart record label, presents an equal-partners trio on a programme of freely improvised meditations with the occasional maelstrom thrown in.

Dunmall is an expert free improviser with a strong voice, fast reactions and a clear sense purpose. Here, he leads from the front with a full sound and a textbook mix of avant-phonics, boppish lines and syncopated lyricism. Long-term collaborator Phillip Gibbs adds sensitive soundscapes and adroit guitar fretwork; label-owner Balen enhances moods with sparse world music beats and fractured kit drum breaks.

The album opens with sheens of electronica, rattles of bells and Dunmall, sounding somewhat boxy, sustaining high notes and low. ‘Motion/Commotion’ follows, with the trio flirting with abstraction and Dunmall, nicely recorded on soprano sax, switching from folk-melody lyricism to blurts of sound. And then ‘No Matter What’ with rich-toned tenor sax spinning syncopated lines and blues shouts over a constant tonic pitch.

As the album progresses, somnolent flute comes with a watery swish, bagpipes skirl over the beats of a village dance and sax skitters over rattles of castanets. The stylistic range is wide. But with Dunmall and Phillips joined at the hip, and the experienced Balen a sensitive fit, the music coheres. Overall, a fun session, with a nice off-the-cuff vibe.