A tenor saxophonist playing entirely alone over a record isn't something you always come across. Although come to think of it the fact that there are not more is slightly odd. There are certainly a lot of solo or duo albums out, in all shapes, sizes and instrumentation and have been increasingly during Lockdownia. Maybe JD Allen will set a trend or is representative of a whole flood of intimate explorations to course through in the coming release cycle. Whatever, 'Nyla's Sky' from Queen City is by itself quite beautiful and moving as an introduction to what's coming up. 'Three Little Words', 'Wildwood Flower', 'Maude', 'O.T.R.', 'Retrograde', 'Gem and Eye', 'Mother', title track 'Queen City', 'Vernetta', 'Kristian with a K', 'Nyla's Sky', 'Just A Gigolo' and 'These Foolish Things' are what's on the High Note/Savant record out on 9 July.

JD Allen. Photo: Facebook