Time Zone - Crossing The Line

(Spherical Records)

This London-based sextet led by trumpeter Loz Speyer are on a mission to bring together restless contemporary jazz and the music of Cuba, with a touch of Eastern European rhythm thrown in. This latest outing, featuring seven of Speyer’s crossover compositions, is their strongest yet. His resourceful trumpet work is matched by Martin Hathaway’s warm, soulful alto saxophone and bass clarinet, while guitarist Stefano Kalonaris adds a pungent, ear-catching rock edge to the mix.

The rhythm section of bassist Davide Mantovani, drummer Simon Pearson and percussionist Maurizio Ravalico nail the grooves. Good stuff, although you may not want to hear the final track’s voice-over (an amusing account of the vicissitudes of telephone contact with Cuba) every time.