Threads Orchestra, one of Troyka bandmates Kit Downes’ and Chris Montague's tangled career branches, have close ties to the University of York, where they commissioned Jonathan Brigg to compose their second album, Ranch (2012). Montague passed through the early ranks of Briggs’ York-founded Stoop Quintet too, but Briggs is again sole writer on this debut, a careful mix of through-composed and solo playing aiming to push him deeper into jazz from classical roots. ‘Fable’ is typical of one style here, as Sam Miles’ sax unfolds a tune in slow-motion over a spare, repetitive rhythm section, replaced by other soloists before a gossamer-soft melodic landing. ‘Stoop Kid’ is Brigg's other extreme, as Munk's rock guitar wails, and staccato pecking and swirling claustrophobia suggest the nervousness of the cartoon character who inspired it. Brigg's piano sometimes ventures into bluesy rolls, but is mostly minimal and restrained at his songs’ base. Stoop Quintet's sense of melody and narrative is strong. But when Dave Smyth's drums kick the sax into letting fly on ‘Confession’ and Brigg's starts stabbing at his piano, you hear, despite its tight composition, an urgency and liberation often missing elsewhere.