Certainly one of the most talented bassists to have emerged on the UK jazz scene in many years Misha Mullov-Abbado's Dream Circus is his most convincing and enjoyable album so far. And it's not just about chops although his technique is world class. The tunes, often cloaked in a bittersweet sometimes slightly 1950s type pastoral nostalgia, are very strong and allow a talented ensemble [James Davison - trumpet & flugelhorn; Matthew Herd - alto saxophone; Sam Rapley - tenor saxophone; Liam Dunachie - piano & Hammond organ; Scott Chapman - drums] to stretch out.

The arranging has a John Dankworth-like elegance and the horns especially are beautifully written for and the charts find both space for soloing and for ensemble development. Produced in Denmark by bassist Jasper Høiby this is a fine achievement. SG

Out on Edition. Misha Mullov-Abbado photo via Bandcamp