When the first fulsome notes of Yuval Cohen’s soprano sax come in over Tom Oren’s gentle piano introduction to 'First Meditation' you understand why Manfred Eicher invited him to join the ECM stable. There’s something simultaneously heartfelt and languid in the tone of his instrument that recalls Jan Garbarek’s earlier excursions into soprano playing, something quite European (rather than Coltrane -inspired).

Yet Cohen is very much an Israeli musician, and his quartet are rooted in their homeland, so pieces like 'Helech Ruach' and that opening track have strong musical intimations of that culture. Pianist Oren plays a vital role throughout the album, embellishing the ballad 'Song For Lo Am' with ornate harmonic variations and underpinning 'The Unfolding Nature of Iris' with subtle elaborations. The latter, a slowly blossoming number, also allows Alon Near’s bass the space to, itself, unfold while Alon Benjamani’s brushstroke drumming adds the merest encouragement. The collective sound of the quartet is completely focused on Cohen’s soprano, creating the space for his cantor-like voice, yet nonetheless each gets their moment in the sun. Overall, there’s an even pace to the music – nothing to scare the horses – and that reliable ECM sense of immaculate production that ensures a thoroughly listenable quality.