Malone's latest could as easily be titled ‘Message to Jim Hall’, one of this relaxed release's standout cuts. Like his friend and mentor, Malone has an ear for a great tune, be it from the pop world – he lays down a smoochsome solo version of ‘When A Man Loves a Woman’ – or the jazz domain, like his imperious revisiting of Hubbard's ‘On The Real Side’.

And like Hall, Malone plays with an economy, a fluid choice of just the right note or killing phrase that leaves his cuts memorable, not bland. And when needs must, Malone rocks: even on his dancing calypso take on Rollins’ ‘Nice Lady’, he rips in a slice of ‘Train Kept A-Rollin’’ while Bill Lee's ‘Biskit’ explodes in a soul-jazz freak out against a thumping rhythm section. But when it comes down to it, it's Malone's trusting to the melody and his confidence to let his pure tone ring through, whatever the material, that keeps him special.