While it's a shame that Melford hasn't given us another album from the excellent Be Bread group this new configuration is cooking quite brilliantly. The unique sound of Stomu Takeishi's acoustic bass guitar is the only common denominator between the two ensembles but it is an important one. His blend of subtlety and strength is very much a key component, its unplugged and deeply resonant timbre providing a solid yet lithe framework for all of the other elements of the band. In fact, the funkiness of this work is one of its most engaging aspects, all the more so because of the delicacy with which it is executed. Ron Miles and Liberty Ellman negotiate the winding thematic pathways and tumbling rhythms of Melford's compositions with a balance of caress and attack in their tone and phrasing that is masterful. Melford's writing has always been very wide ranging and the patchwork of mainstream, avant-garde and universal sounds, whereby a raga-like melodic line might burst from a passage of spacious tone poetry or unison riffs emerge in unexpected places, is mightily impressive here. The combination of the very strong personalities in Melford's band and her own sharply focused but open, witty soloing makes this a record that is often nothing less than gripping. Could well be a festival highlight if Melford is given the spotlight in a major concert hall.