There is, it seems, no limit to the energy and fecundity of the great Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii. Now 66, she has – at a rough estimate – more than 120 albums under her belt (a dozen in 2018 alone), a large proportion featuring her as leader. To that impressive tally, add two more – one as leader of her own Quartet and one in collaboration with Aussie keyboardist/composer Alister Spence. Both albums also feature longtime collaborator, trumpeter Natsuki Tamura.

Dog Days Of Summer sees the re-emergence of her exciting Quartet, which has lain dormant since 2006; and boy, is it good to have them back. Dog Days is a thrilling combination of pounding, percussive piano, aggressive horn blasts and wails and powerhouse rhythms. In less skilled or subtle hands this music could degenerate into empty bombast, but here, despite the sheer agression of tunes like 'Not Together' and the title track, there's a real sense of refinement and cohesiveness. The Yoshida/Takeharu rhythm combo is jaw-droppingly assertive and powerful, yet never threatens to overshadow Fujii and Tamura's solos. Add in a brilliant understanding of light and shade, and you have a deeply satisfying (on every level) release that grows with every listen.

Kira Kira were formed in 2017 in Melbourne, and have toured extensively since then, releasing an acclaimed debut, Bright Force, in 2018. This follow-up, recorded during a tour of Japan, reinforces their reputation as a fearsome live machine – as exemplified by the brain-crushing intensity of the opener, Yoshida's 'Vertical Rainbow'. This is followed by Fujii's 'Bolognaise', a quieter piece that unexpectedly explodes at its climax; Kira Kira are a band with a remarkable grasp of dynamics, who never act predictably. Furthermore, they're a collective, co-operative and ego-free endeavour, each member of the quartet getting compositional credit, the group as a whole displaying remarkable musical cohesiveness.