Bursting with great writing, energy and vitality that snaps all notions of what a contemporary big band & crucially strings together should sound like, Arakatak is a clear candidate to become the recipient of a hatful of awards, surely. It's big tent cinematic jazz that's brimful of passion.

There's plenty of spirit and a contemporary sheen to The Guesthouse. But Shai Maestro's latest doesn't quite engage as much as some of his earlier work managed to.

Body and Soul, Caravan and more plus a wonderful reading of Blame It On My Youth.

This latest sprawling solo effort from Shabaka isn't at all the most essential item in the saxist/flautist's discography.

Straight ahead sextet settings that set the bar high.