Christian McBride's straight-ahead project might not break any boundaries but, like the leader's propulsive bass playing, it certainly packs a punch. The all-original repertoire is stamped with traditional late-twentieth century concerns and 1960s Jazz Messenger references, but it springs to life with the energy, conviction and mutual trust of a band who cut their first album four years ago. Add in a standout sax and vibes front line – Wilson dry-toned and funky on alto, Wolf warm and fluent on vibes – and a well-worked aesthetic gains a fresh and gleaming new identity.

The set opens with a crisp press-roll, a modal riff and a short, solidly swung bridge, there's a light samba homage to ‘Ms. Angelou’, a fast and hard-swung ‘The Movement, Revisited’ and a final, soulful ‘New Hope’s Angel', written in response to Whitney Houston's death. The most ambitious track, ‘Gang Gang’ references dancers' slang for an Afro-Cuban 12/8 rhythm and was written by the now established Warren Wolf. It starts in Havana, but ends with the baroque cadences of an adrenalin-fuelled MJQ.