The sources and angles of the title allude to the years guitarist Dan Waldman clocked up paying his dues in New York's West Village. Now returned to the UK, the Berklee graduate's sharply articulated lines and dense voicings deliver energy, focus and a full ensemble sound.

This all-original set, his debut own-name release, was recorded while he was still living in New York. Pithy-toned expat Londoner Will Vinson shares the front line on alto or soprano sax and New Yorkers Ryan Berg and Kassa Overall are equally fast company on bass and drums.

The album opens with the spritely modal swing of ‘Back By Due Regards’, continues with the floaty ‘Folk Song’ and then ‘Bowery & Patternation’ hovers just above ballad tempo, confirming the band's discipline and craft. Elsewhere, the riff of ‘Planet Vulcan’ edges into jazz-rock, ‘The End of Winter’ hints at bossa nova and ‘Beginning’, the album's final track, is a slow-burning jam featuring Vinson on soprano sax, guitar effects and the spacious rattle of unexpected hip-hop beats.

The springy articulation of ‘Life Imitates Art’ comes in the middle of the set. Vinson and Waldman phrase as one, the rhythm section change mood and tempo at will and the band play as though tested on the road. Nice set.