Audiopile Review: Norwegian imprint Jazzagression follow up their two recent albums from Greg Foat and Misha Panfilov with this striking debut from the Leeds-based Mu Quintet. Moving away from the faux-library styles of Foat & Panfilov, Summit is in line with the modal sound that we’re more familiar with from the label’s largely Scandinavian-based jazz outfits, though this isn’t quite your usual take modern on spiritual jazz. The quintet apply a playful, free approach with compositions that encompass many moods, ably and swiftly flipping between hushed ballads redolent of Coltrane’s quieter moments for Prestige, and frenetic, freewheeling pieces that showcase their improvisational chops without ever going too far off the rails. The group are connecting on a higher level here, simultaneously sounding loose and liquid yet entirely in sync, able to turn on a dime. Damn, what a debut! Numbered edition of 250 and sold out at the source.

Limited to 250 copies. Sealed numbered 180g vinyl with hypesticker. Elevating avant-garde jazz with a fresh, modal/free approach-crafted by an energetic quintet hailing from Leeds UK.