With her eighth studio release – a double album of 21 moments – the London-based singer, pianist, composer and producer Fiona Ross further underscores her singular talents. Possessed of a bell-like voice, impressive playing chops and a knack for penning lyrics that nail life’s vagaries and, to paraphrase her friend Maxine Gordon – commenting in the liner notes on ‘Pirates in Paris’ and ‘Voices Unheard’, a paean to four hitherto overlooked female jazzers – come couched in sincerity, kindness and a palpable love for music.

And indeed, Ross takes a winning delight in her sharing her gifts, which she presents over a range of feels and topics, aided a wealth of female guests. Saxophonist Hannah Horton and the all-female/non-binary J Steps Ensemble are there alongside Ross and vocalist Mary Sho on ‘China Told Me’, a tribute to China Moses, whom Ross – as the founder of Women in Jazz Media, and a determined empowerer herself – praises for her artistry and life-changing humanity. Highlights abound: single ‘Let Your Soul Shine’ is a freespirited ode to doing precisely that; closing track ‘100 Songs’ celebrates Ross’s compositional milestone as it reflects on legacy and loss. Another excellent creation from an artist owning her space, getting the props she deserves.