Paul Booth likes to set a challenge: the Secret Sessions are based on the precept that no-one knows who they are going to record with on a given day: it presumably adds an edge to the recording, keeping the music fresh and the players on their toes. So the crew for Hoop is different again from the inaugural Fragile Eagle from last year. This time there’s space a-plenty for Allard in particular, plus Walsh’s smile-some trumpet. The tone’s set by the opening ‘Sinternal’, a feel good fusion piece from Booth although it’s Cottle’s ever urgent bass that steals the moment. Allard gets his shout on Booth’s slow blues ‘Good, Bad Fortune’, while Allard’s meditative ‘Erin’ sets up Walsh’s horn. As you’d expect from this calibre of musician, each song has its highlight, with the tone very much set to a melodic good time. Which is not a criticism, it’s to Booth’s credit that his projects have a gravitas the smoother end of such sessions rarely achieve. And boy, do we need music that’s raises the spirits right now.