Ulysses Owen's impressive sideman credits range from Terence Blanchard to Kurt Elling, with whom he won a 2010 Grammy for Dedicated to You. But the most relevant is as drummer with the Christian McBride Big Band. That stint won him a second Grammy for the 2012 album The Good Feeling, and he delivers the same powerhouse precision here.

Owen launched his big band in 2017 in Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center as a one-off add-on to his working quintet. But the idea stuck, more gigs followed, and two years later he returned to the venue to live-record this disciplined 19-piece. The repertoire mixes jazz classics with band-member originals and the accent is on uplift and joyful harmonies laced with the blues. Arrangements are focussed, solo strength high and the showcase brass is as tight as a nut.

The album opens with a recap of Miles Davis' arrangement of ‘Two Bass Hit’; later, a re-work of Michael Jackson's ‘Human Nature’ references the trumpeter's later years. Add in an architectural reading of ‘Giant Steps’ and a steamy ‘Girl Talk’ and you can appreciate the band's sheer flexibility and range.

Five pieces are originals from different members of the ensemble, and the range is just as broad. ‘London Town’ sticks out for a sweet-toned cameo from guest vibraphonist Stefon Harris and ‘The Language of Flowers’ memorably ebbs and flows but never wilts.

The set ends with the controlled vocal shouts, wah-wah horns and Blakey-esque shuffle of ‘Harlem, Harlem, Harlem’ fading into the gospel vibe of the title track and a final richly-voiced chord.