YatraEdition Records ****

Rising British pianist Ivo Neame may be best known for his playing in the trio format – notably with Phronesis, led by bassist Jasper Høiby – but Yatra’s is the sound of a musician luxuriating in a broader pallet, writing intelligently for an octet of four reeds (five if you include Neame doubling on clarinet and alto saxophone), along with Høiby’s bass, Jim Hart’s vibraphone, and Dave Hamblett’s drum kit.

The compositions are edgy without being obtuse, through-written with a filmic sense of drama, but open enough for the musicians to put their own spin on things in a way that recalls the seminal Loose Tubes ensemble. Neame's third album as leader will bring some talented young horn players to wider attention, and Hart, Høiby and Hamblett cook up some intense grooves, but it is Neame himself that impresses most, showing increasing maturity both as a composer and as a pianist. ivoneame.com