This Melbourne-based ensemble, whose last album, 2017's Arrow of Time, picked up plenty of plaudits over here (Gilles Peterson, Jamie Cullum, Courtney Pine and Don Letts are all fans), take as their starting point on their third long-player the 1970s sounds of the Black Jazz and Strata-East labels, as well as UK contemporaries like Maisha and Nubya Garcia. The result is a bubbling spiritual jazz stew that doesn't break any new ground, but which is so well – and lovingly – executed that it's ultimately impossible to ignore. Think Donny Hathaway, Kamasi Washington, The Last Poets and Gary Bartz NTU Troop and you're pretty much there.

Bandleader-composer-guitarist Lance Ferguson has drilled his soldiers well – the blowing is powerful and passionate, the grooves tightly locked and played with purpose, and the guitar expressive.

Many Worlds lacks the profound, questing turmoil of great spiritual jazz touchstones like say, Coltrane's A Love Supreme, but that's not really the point; what it does possess – in spades – is lyricism and great tunes, an understanding of dynamics and great ensemble and solo playing (Ferguson's Bensonesque guitar, Noy's urgent saxes and Fitzgibbon's keyboards are always spot on). And, importantly, albums like this, and groups like Menagerie, are often picked up by non-jazz DJs and radio stations; they are more than worthwhile as they introduce jazz to a younger audience either not familiar with jazz or with a set of misplaced preconceptions. Think how many souls have been turned on to jazz by Kamasi or Sons of Kemet or Kind of Blue and Headhunters… Many Worlds will hopefully do the same.

Lead single and opening track ‘Hope' sets the tone perfectly, with its insistent vocal refrain, powerful drums, irresistible bass, vibes and percussion and grab ‘em by the goolies solos, while the epic title track shimmers, swells and explodes over its 11 minutes (you just want it to go on forever). The album's other epic, ‘Mountain Song' is an energetic Latin-flavoured shuffle with a superb trumpet solo from Irwin and seductive piano cascades; and closer ‘Quantum Blues' has one of those earworm refrains that you won't be able to shift. Ever. This is great, accessible contemporary jazz played with care, flair, taste and confidence – you owe it to yourself to get immersed.