An achievement. The trumpet section within the sound is one of the best that I have heard in many years searching. Within that formidable unit a salute to Tom Walsh from the Mark Knopfler band especially who I guess will become even better known under his own name as the years progress. Yes this homage to the Clyde sits alongside the work of the SNJO but also the WDR and JALCO, ergo world class, and the whole album has a life to it that you can't remotely fake although some big bands do try. The always fun and happening Brass Jaw seems a long time ago, Towndrow was at the heart of that band and remains one of the UK's top alto sax players easily in the same upper echelon as Soweto Kinch, Rachael Cohen (who is on Deepening the River) Martin Speake and Nathaniel Facey. Deepening the River is all about the integrity of section work so the reeds unit has a real strength to it as well as the mighty trumpet section and the writing allows a cross fertilisation. Alyn Cosker is a Scottish Wolfgang Haffner so again high praise. 2021 may be a big one for the Scottish scene with Cairn already a shining moment, and Anoushka Nanguy & the super interesting Corto.Alto rising up, not just for this year but for the ages. River accommodates the SNJO-type sound we are long since familiar with and injects some fine folk streams given that the triplet feel of both jazz and folk traditions are long established kissing cousins and Towndrow knows how to work, work, work them and set them free. Piper Ross Ainslie is a thrill on 'The Long Recovery' that makes me think instantly of the great Richard Parkes in terms of steady time and sheer impact. SG