Vocalist Emily Masser’s second album continues her ascent with pin-sharp singing, scat, polished vocalese and some original material honouring her late mother and very-much-present father saxophonist Dean Masser. It’s a delight from beginning to end.

Still only 20 years old, and studying at London’s Guildhall School of Music, Emily Masser broke on the UK jazz scene with her debut album Introducing Emily Masser with the Clark Tracey Quintet in early 2024. Less than a year later she is back with a new band alongside her father, new material, new twists and for the first time her own song in Song For My Mother. If this all sounds a bit family-focused there’s no need to worry – it pays off in so many ways in this all-killer, no-filler outing.

Every number has a memorable twist. The classic Old Devil Moon, taken at a romping pace, has Emily and Dean playing a unison scat chorus together on vocals and tenor saxophone which puts the icing on the already-nutritious cake baked by London-based Hungarian Matyas Gayer and his sparkling piano, James Owston’s swinging bass and Latin-influenced cymbal and drum work of Steve Brown. These are of course all leading members of London’s jazz scene and it’s wonderful to hear them all pulling together here.