Talk about fast-tracking; only last year the NYJO saxophonist Tom Barford was collecting his first-class honours as a Royal Academy graduate. Next minute he's picking up the Kenny Wheeler Jazz Prize, receiving plaudits from major sax Brits Evan Parker, Stan Sulzmann and Iain Ballamy, the latter producing Barford's aptly-titled debut, Bloomer, for Edition Records. But there's ample evidence here that the saxophonist-composer is already living up to his billing, with a deep engagement with both mainstream and contemporary jazz sources and a dexterity beyond his years. Though there's a warm, atmospheric lyrical vibe throughout the recording, there's also acknowledgement of leftfield interests: the angular M-Baseish, hip-hop-charged, ‘F Step’; a Coltrane-ish modal-to-free jazz balladry, as well as the more pastoral post-Loose Tubes lyricism of a Julian Argüelles or Ballamy (‘Ideology’, ‘Phizzwizard’); the rockfuelled groove jazz of Tonbruket/Get the Blessing (‘Highly Strung Trapeze Artist’); and the quirky ‘Razztwizzler’, highlighted by some heady psychorgan riffage by Rupert Cox. It all hangs together by way of Barford's strong signature on sax and obvious compositional flair. There's an impressive showing also from his fledgling colleagues; perhaps guitarist Billy Marrows deserves singling out as one to watch. A great start and lots to look forward to.