Take the five saxophones (two altos, two tenors, one baritone) from the standard big band, add piano, bass and drums, and you have a complete orchestra with its own unique sound. That’s what Dave O’Higgins and Alan Barnes, two of Britain’s top saxophonists, have done here. Their scores coax a marvellous blend of tones and textures from the instruments, and, what’s more, it’s hugely entertaining. That’s a rare quality these days. I’ve heard similar American bands, with equally nimble players, but they don’t seem to be having half as much fun as this lot. The other saxophonists, by the way, are Sam Mayne, Judith O’Higgins and Karen Sharp, and the rhythm section are Robin Aspland, Adam King and Sebastiaan De Krom.
