Three Worlds Records came into being after the formation of the Guild of Horn Players and their releases so far have concentrated on the French Horn and its exponents, one among them Jim Rattigan. His earlier Pavillon release The Freedom of Movement also came out on TWR.

In his note for this album, Rattigan says: “Having had a career in classical music and now playing jazz, I thought I would write some music that would combine the two worlds. A juxtaposition… not a crossover”

Thus Rattigan is a key solo voice on the album but rather pleasingly he has aligned himself to the nimble pianisms and clever incursions of pianist Iles supported by Janisch and Maddren, their efforts bolstered by the impeccable playing of the Tear Quartet. All 10 compositions are by Rattigan himself so there are really two questions to consider here: first, is this fusion of forms a success, and second, does Rattigan pass the improvisatory test? Certainly, the presence of Iles is a delight throughout, as on something like ‘Patrick's Song’ where she solos at length over Maddren's punchy drums.

Rattigan best answers the second question on ‘It's Not Quite The Same’ and ‘Fool’, where he achieves a pleasing degree of mobility over the jazz pulse. Both ‘When’ and ‘Solace’ are adorned by careful solos from Janisch and more expansive Iles piano, ahead of Rattigan's rather mournful entry. So, a mixed bag in sum, Rattigan's mastery of his challenging instrument never in doubt even if his jazz credentials are more readily apparent on the slower, lower-pressure themes, with Iles invariably on song in all her moments of prominence, as on the quite lovely ‘Saudade’. Rhythmically varied, the compositional mood often quite challenging, this typified by ‘The Commute’ which certainly conveys the hurly-burly of travel.

An interesting hybrid.