In a somewhat career limiting move, Vasileios Podaras (Billy Pod to his London chums) rocked up in the UK just as the Covid closedown kicked in. But it hasn’t stopped him playing with the likes of Dave O’Higgins, Mornington Lockett and Rob Luft: and now he's delivered his first Brit release, notably featuring guitarist Tom Ollendorf.

Podaras isn’t a drummer to batter you around the ears: the opening ‘Unprecedented’ is an enigmatic waltz, suggesting subtle inner drama, not overt statements. Likewise, Ollendorf layers a suitably heavenly theme above Podaras’ quirky pattern on ‘Elysium’, while ‘Valse Triste’ (who can resist a Sibelius theme?) is a standout, with gently plashing cymbals affording space for an oh-so-slowly picked melody from Ollendorf, plus a charmful bass break.

More calling card than game changer, let's hope Podaras keeps nurturing his skills in Blighty, because his abilities as writer and performer are refreshing, different and most welcome.