On the back of a well-received debut, a Parliamentary Jazz Award and extensive touring, Edwards returns with a sophomore effort that makes a simple but essential point: he can write a song worth singing. While his improvising is certainly not lacking in appeal, especially on brisk swing numbers where he zestfully takes apart a chord sequence, the Londoner distinguishes himself through themes that have the clarity of construction and soulfulness of feeling that largely defined the work of the likes of Ramsey Lewis, Ray Bryant and Barry Harris. For the most part Edwards opts for a latin-inflected rhythmic base here, which suits the flying rimshots and pumping groove worked up by Boyd and Luthert, but the leader’s restraint and subtlety on ballad material, above all the wistful ‘Down But Not Out’, is also very impressive. While Edwards has played solo electric gigs and conducted the Nu Civilisation Orchestra, the trio seems a natural setting for him and his desire to place melody high on his artistic priorities is to be commended. Edwards’ faith in the blues as part of his core vocabulary is also good to hear, though the set, for all its plus points, feels more like steady progress rather than a grand statement. But he’s still at a relatively early stage of development. As far as Edwards’ career-defining moment is concerned, it’s probably just a matter of time.