Benn Clatworthy called his first own-name album Thanks Horace, in recognition of Horace Silver, the pianist and bandleader whose recommendation to the Discovery record label led to the recording being released. That was in 1992, by which time the Hastings-born, multi-instrumentalist Clatworthy had absorbed the influence of John Coltrane and moved first to London and in 1980 to Los Angeles.

The influence of Coltrane and Silver remains in the well-constructed themes and tenor sax pentatonics that abound on this, his latest CD. ‘Bolivian Odyssey’ has a hint of the Silvers and the strong blues changes and ghosted melody of ‘Just Another Addiction’ would sit easily on John Coltrane's 1962 album Co¡trane Plays the Blues. But elsewhere, Clatworthy's wispy tonal palette and slurred sweeping lines reflect more contemporary concerns. These are at their clearest on ‘Space 22’, an unfolding theme supported by strong Simon Thorpe walking bass. Two ballads add variety, one with the leader on soprano sax, another with him on flute, and there are accurate covers of Thelonious Monk's “Ugly Beauty” and Billy Strayhorn's ‘My Little Brown Book’.

Overall, a solid and varied set, buoyed by an exemplary rhythm section. Pianist John Donaldson and bassist Thorpe are Clatworthy's sensitive UK regulars, drummer Darren Becket, recently returned from a spell in New York adds bustle.