I've heard Zoox a few times this year (actually I keep listening – their music is that infectious) and I'm enchanted. Linda Game, Jo May and Becky Menday bring their rich and varied influences, styles and careers together to forge something exceptional. Doubtless there are people who could consider fiddle and mandolin, combined with djembe, bodhran and congas, added to saxes, whistles and contrabassoon to be a heady blend – perhaps a mix too strong for some tastes. That may be, but believe me the blend is superb. It works and it works well.

Often the term 'original' is used mistakenly – not here. Listen for a while and you'll hear something truly original. You'll also identify a whole bag of influences at work  – jazz, rock, traditional and classical. There's also some Appalachian and Klezmer leanings in the Zoox mix too. The true beauty is their concoction of instruments and inspirations take you places you really don't expect to go.

'The Gravel Walks/John Nee's' allows the contrabassoon to growl gently as the strings, whistle and percussion step and dodge around it. The interestingly titled 'Two Fat Ladies' (by Jo May) is another fine example of their art  - strong with Eastern vigour and full of energy and expression. 'Reverse Antics' (written by Becky) builds beautifully as the whistle and strings duel together - then off they go in another unexpected direction. In 'The Bread Maker (penned by Linda) the mandolin skips across the tune while the contrabassoon once again 'grumbles' to itself.

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