Highly respected for his sterling work with the likes of JD Allen, Dave Douglas and Ron Miles, Rudy Royston is in the elite class of modern drummers. He is also an accomplished leader and this new studio set upholds the high standards set by 2018’s Flatbed Buggy, which has since become the name of his band.

Its lineup certainly catches the ear first and foremost because of a subtle blurring of the concept of ‘frontline’ and rhythm section. John Ellis’ bass clarinet and Hank Roberts' cello move stealthily between playing themes and comping, while Gary Versace’s accordion is like a slurring, drifting spirit around the whole ensemble.

With melodies that slide easily between quasi-Celtic folk and a strange chamber bluegrass the music has a deeply charming oddity, which is skillfully helmed by Royston’s work on the kit. His seamless alternation of studied looseness and funky tightness make him a worthy heir to such as Andrew Cyrille and Ed Blackwell, but, as is the case with those two icons, Royston drives the music with sufficient aggression to make it gutsy, but also knows when to ease off and let the immense collective strength of the band come through.

Music that could, and should, put Royston on more radars than is currently the case.