In a real case of “carpe diem” the ground work for Aura Safari and Jimi Tenor’s collaborative set, Sensory Blending, was laid down in a single day. The 9-track album, the result of a serendipitous session seized when Tenor was visiting the band’s hometown of Perugia. The pieces feature the famous Finnish musician on vocals, saxophone, and flute, plus additional synths on the Brasilia, modern MBP, of Bewitched By The Sea.

The Nuyorcian-nuanced Gilmet is another latin cut. A cuica-squeaking beach-side / pool-side boogaloo, that’s bolstered by blasts of big band brass. The rhythms on the record, though, range from the head-nodding to the more frantic fusion-flavoured. The closing cut, Indigo, a short Pharoah Sanders-esque spiritual, sax joyfully skronking and soaring, rides only cymbal shimmer and shakers. The standouts here, however, are the songs.

Tenor’s fellow Finn, Toimi Tytti, leads the magical My Bluebell. Its sophisticated, broken funk might not necessarily be immediate, but it has all the hallmarks of a future jazz-dance classic. The singer and players vamping in a punchy call and response. Its syncopation, for sure, for the fleet of foot. It echoes tunes that Gilles Peterson used to spin at Dingwalls, Talkin’ Loud & Saying Something, on a Sunday, way back when. Standards by Weekend and Kalima.

Tenor’s own tones grace Bodily Synesthesia and Lunar Wind. The former is finely honed, heart felt, hip, and home to a seemingly effortless smart, sharp swing, that for some reason makes me think of Frank Sinatra and his Ratpack friends. Jimi’s jive like a Vegas lounge crooner from a parallel, far cooler, universe. Its electric keys, energetic, and a subtle nod to Roy Ayres in the arrangement. The latter boasts a bass-led groove, backing lyrics concerned with love and our eternal search for it. The heavenly group harmonies have something of the Sun Ra / Arkestras about them, adding to the air of inner spaceways exploration. Both possess a rich soulful, sundown, quality, and are a definite “must listen” for fans of the recently rediscovered / resurrected, and rightly lauded Eddie Chacon.

Aura Safari & Jimi Tenor’s Sensory Blending is out now on Hell Yeah.