This long-awaited debut recording from The Printmakers could be looked on as a paean to musical friendships. Fittingly dedicated to the memory of Kenny Wheeler, the album's 10-track song list draws heavily from long-standing musical relationships, with music by Ralph Towner, John Taylor, Steve Swallow and, naturally, band members Nikki Iles and Norma Winstone. Fresh from her Best Vocalist win at this year's Parliamentary Jazz Awards, Winstone adds apposite new lyrics to Towner's ‘A Breath Away’ (from his 1995 ECM album Lost And Found) and ‘The Glide’ (from Oregon's songbook), both of which feature daring, vertiginous leaps in the melodic line. Taking its inspiration from pianist Bill Evans’ version of the Paul Simon song, ‘I Do It For Your Love’ highlights the warmth, intimacy and communicative power of Iles’ pianism. Described by Iles as a roller coaster ride, the band negotiate the intricacies of Taylor's ‘O’, featuring one of several captivating solos by Lockheart, with a kind of nonchalant joyousness. Elsewhere, the title track and the atmospheric ‘Tideway’ illustrate the sextet's collective storytelling gift.

Recorded live over two days in the picturesque setting of Hawkshead in the Lake District, Westerly is an album of varicoloured delights.