Manouche guitarist Lafertin came to fame in the 1980s with WASO, a touring group which broadly followed the gypsy jazz template set out so enduringly by the late Django Reinhardt.

A frequent visitor to the UK in times past as both a soloist and bandleader, he's been fallow for a while for obvious reasons but this new recording suggests that he continues to find inspiration in the timeless Reinhardt style and in this way re-affirms his own gypsy roots. He retains his mentor's rhythmically intricate, finely burnished approach and is clearly still a pleasingly accomplished performer. His new partnership with violinist Tripodi sacrifices Grappelli-style hotness for a sweeter, more fulsome quality.

This is immediately evident on ‘La Belle Vie’ where the violinist leads off, Lafertin improvising fluently over the chugging beat provided by second guitar and bass. Much the same goes for ‘My Romance’ which swings engagingly. He moves to the Portuguese guitarra on ‘Vibrcoes’ and several other tracks, the effect suitably redolent of far-off pastimes. Lilting music, beautifully wrought, often delicate, never rugged, a mixture of familiar standards and more esoteric pieces.