Drummer Matt Slocum’s second album for the Sunnyside label is a beautifully crafted seven-part Suite, inspired by his reflections on the current state of racism in the USA. On the one hand, is his desire for a more compassionate and inclusive society, on the other the realisation that pervasive systemic racism remains entrenched.

Slocum captures his inner turmoil in the subtle shades of an ebb-and-flow sax-and-rhythm quartet. Pianist Taylor Eigsti and bassist Larry Grenadier are long-term acquaintances (Grenadier played on the drummer’s 2019 debut release), and the three fine-tuned the work by touring it live. This is reflected in the rhythm section’s warm group sound, mutual rapport and supple interplay. Saxophonist Walter Smith III added his wispy tone, rhythmic strength and harmonic nous in the studio, and was a perfect fit.

The seven-movement work, held together by a central organising theme, ebbs, flows, meanders and gathers pace to reflect Slocum’s inner turmoil. That theme, introduced by Eigsti, opens the album in a down-beat minor mood, pops up in snatches and returns on the final track; ‘America Revisited’ switching to softly-voiced major, gives a glimmer of hope.

In between ‘First Light’ bustles energetically with Smith and Eigsti in full flow, ‘An Evolving Alliance’ burns slowly, and ‘End of Season’ is a gently optimistic autumnal waltz; ‘Precipice’ slow burns and stops almost dead.

The band work brilliantly as a unit and balance tension with release as bass and drums deliver counterpoint support to Smith and Eigsti’s lead. The penultimate track is a bass solo. ‘Abandoned Illusion’, presents Grenadier at his forceful rich-toned best, a perfect platform for the final act.