Weldon, hitherto known for his distinctive piano work, has morphed into a bassist and a fine one at that. His Mingus-like thrum opens ‘Where You Are’ with partner Sparks' clear-voiced reading of the leader's lyric setting for Pat Metheny's ‘Question and Answer’. There's evidence here of the careful approach permeating this album, Sparks balancing standards with Weldon's originals and thoughtful re-workings of Monk and Metheny. Much is made in the explanatory notes of music's “searching quality” and the values of improvisation. Weldon argues that his work reflects the flame “that burns with passion”, hence the album's title. This fire is evident at varying levels of intensity, the mood often sombre, with Jurd, Iles and Themen adding their own distinctive responses. Jimmy Rowles' ‘Baby, Don't You Quit Now’ and ‘Weaver of Dreams’ are low-pitched expositions by Sparks, with Iles comping steadily, Jurd soloing with grace and poise on the latter (it's good to hear her playing outside her own bands), Iles at her most eloquent. The impressive ‘Justice Song’ is Weldon's collage of Monk's ‘Justice’ plus ‘Just You, Just Me’, with Sparks lively over the riffs, and Themen's tenor Gonsalves-like above Tompkins' drums. Weldon refers here to the ongoing “abuse of ‘black people in America” and sees the blues cry as crucial in voicing that hurt, Jurd responding feelingly to his challenge. ‘One Kiss’ by Weldon is a stately trio ballad, whereas ‘It's Crazy’ is more jubilant. Themen is superb on Monk's ‘Ask Me Now’ at ballad tempo. Far from a simple blowing session, Weldon's clear-minded commitment to the flame imbues the entire programme. There's a lot of music here, not all of it easy.