Although active in a number of projects, Wallen has not released an album under his own name for some 13 years (2007’s excellent Meeting Ground) – hence this return to the studio is welcome, not least because it unveils a new band featuring the articulate young British guitarist Rob Luft and go-to US expatriate drummer Rod Youngs. Interestingly, an electric small group vaguely takes the trumpeter back to his first steps as a leader with Sound Advice, and the African, Brazilian and Spanish flavours that permeate some of the material reflect the widescreen stylistic approach that made Wallen an exciting prospect when he emerged in the mid 1990s. His soloing is consistently impressive, the highlight being the deeply poignant ballad ‘Fundamental’ where his tone is misty and his melodic phrases left to breathe and blend sensually into Luft’s finely shaded harmonies. However, Wallen has always been more than a brass player. His imaginative use of shells and percussion to create distinctly ancestral ambiances also nods to his own underrated Earth Roots album, while the appearance of a school choir brings an additional emotional layer that reinforces the underlying message of fraternity in the music which draws inspiration from Woolwich in east London, the hub of a vibrant multi-cultural community. It is a timely political statement in a prevailing divisive climate, but first and foremost this work offers a sharp new focus on Wallen, an artist who has come emphatically to full maturity.