Sebastian Noelle is a German-born guitarist who emigrated to New York in 2002, where he has since enjoyed developing his ensemble playing and picking up valuable contacts working in the large contemporary jazz groups of Darcy James Argue's Secret Society and the Chris Potter Big Band. The idiomatic spread here is perhaps midway between the two, but on a smaller scale. Shelter on the tasteful Fresh Sound New Talent label from Barcelona is warmly intimate yet unpredictable with an often understated, intricate mix of enigmatic, zig zagg-y harmony, dark-hued avant jazz-rock, contemporary free bop and folk-tinged song. It's a coming together of various aspects of New York's thrillingly diverse current scene. Although Noelle's interests also range from Indian ragas and classical impressionism through to a more leftfield post-bop universe, he writes tender, patient themes and plays guitar with a soft-toned finesse and gentle passion.

The musicians interact well and include the Tim Berne/Dave Douglas sideman Matt Mitchell, a conceptualist of sparse piano textures.