McBride sets a good example for contemporary definitions of ‘inside playing’ and ‘straight-ahead feel’. His quintet also contains a cross-section of musicians from recent generations who are dedicated to those ends, including two relative veterans in Wilson and Allen (both 60 years old), while Martin is of a comparable age to McBride himself (about to turn 50 next year) and vibist Wolf is almost a decade younger.

As well as demonstrating the continuing vitality of the tradition in the right hands, this album also celebrates Inside Straight’s longevity, proudly underlining their annual appearances at the Vanguard since 2007 – a run only interrupted in 2020. McBride only solos a couple of times, but the strength of the other soloists (including Allen) is such that you’re hardly aware of the head-solos-head structure of these vibrant originals. Wilson’s ballad dedicated to ‘Ms. Angelou’ is the only slow tune, but variety is also provided by the waltz-time ‘Uncle James’ and the Afro-Latin 12/8 of ‘Gang Gang’.

The excitement of the performance communicates to the audience (and vice versa), while the intensity of the mostly long tracks ensures that you don’t notice the length.