Rob Hall & Chick Lyall - Blithe Spirit

(FMR Records)

Hall and Lyall are familiar figures on the Scottish jazz scene, and their third duo recording reveals an even greater refinement in their thoughtful, inventive music. Their melodic compositions combine jazz, classical music and a touch of folk in subtle interaction, including three more abstract excursions into electronic music.

It is often difficult to unpick where notation ends and improvisation begins, while the range of instruments – Hall’s sopranino, soprano and tenor saxophones and clarinet, along with Lyall’s piano, harpsichord and electronics – is matched by the inherent variety and shifting moods encompassed within the music.

Available from robhallchicklyall.com