A sobering album for sobering times.

Think the rapport Iain Ballamy had in his early career with Django Bates and you have one indication towards an intimation of that correspondingly here in the interplay between pianist/organist Kit Downes, on this Huddersfield and Snape recorded masterpiece, and saxophonist Tom Challenger.

Their duo passages are located at the heart of a remarkable album that sucks you in and never lets you go. The other personnel are cellist Lucy Railton, guitarist Stian Westerhus and drummer Sebastian Rochford. Suffolk and W. G. Sebald are inspirations, ones that Steve Lake refers to in the liner notes, a story first begun on Obsidian.

A significant achievement overall. There is a grandeur to the music here that is not built on pompous statement more on intimacy, humility, and contemplation and that makes the quality of the composition and artisan crafting of the performance even more impressive as it dives into a world of melancholia and reflection.