Tucked away behind the somewhat forbidding Wood Green shopping mall, the Karamel isn't a known jazz venue but it is a spacious, genial restaurant where striking photographs of political protest, right down to far left militants booting fascists out of Brick lane, give the décor a steely edge. The sight of Josefina Cupido’s sole ‘big drum’, also makes for an arresting image, standing out like an engine on an assembly line.

It is, in fact, the dynamo of Elephant III, a not so well known group even if keyboardist Steve Lodder is, by dint of his work with George Russell and Carla Bley entre autres. Completing the trio is trombonist Paul Nieman and together they produce an ensemble sound that is charming for its melodic clarity, rhythmic subtlety and astute blend of low, dense tones and high, mercurial ones. The significant addition to the instruments is Cupido’s voice, which is deployed with both the force and finesse that characterizes Brazilian greats such as Ellis Regina or Joyce.

It is indeed when they reprise Jobim’s ‘Brasil Nativo’ that Elephant makes explicit the lithe, sensual bossa nova implications of other pieces, though a more raucous bluesier energy bubbles up in the rousing finale, ‘Hound Dog.’ Of the originals ‘Strange’, complete with otherworldly vocal effects from Nieman, is outstanding.

Prior to that, Inner Space Music, led by trumpeter-flugelhorn player Loz Speyer played a cracking set showcasing the consistently good catalogue he has been building for many years. With alto saxophonist Chris Biscoe in the front line, the band carried a strong Ornette-Don Cherry spirit but there was real personality in the writing. Paul Clarvis, ringing maximum returns from a minimal drum kit, and Olie Brice, playing taut, resonant lines on the double bass, also shone in a bright-as-a-button quartet.

– Kevin Le Gendre