Phil Upchurch, one of the great soul jazz guitarists of the 1970s, who cut killer albums such as Darkness, Darkness and also made a sizeable contribution as a rhythm player and arranger to George Benson among others, may not have been in fashion at the dawn of the millennium. But as this tasty session shows he’d lost none of his cookability.

Leading a quartet that includes Miles Davis’ nephew, drummer Vince Wilburn Jnr, Upchurch is eminently soulful on standards such as ‘Jive Samba’, ‘Take Five’ and ‘St. Louis Blues.’ If the Chicagoan’s articulate handling of these timeless melodies shows his tasteful swing as well as funky spark, then he also excels on slower tempos where his lightness of touch as well as ear for harmonic colour come into their own.

The reprises of Errol Garner’s ‘Misty’ and Neal Hefti’s ‘Girl Talk’, both have a dreamy, hazy lyricism while the title track goes even further in that direction, making the point that Upchurch is an outstanding balladeer as well as groove merchant who can bring thumbed bass à la Wes as well as wiry counterpoint in to some of his more dense lines. The 82 year-old has rightful elder statesman credentials, as is clear from this overlooked set that fully warrants new investigation.