Essentials of Jazz by Quintessence.

IT'S jazz Jim, but not as we know it.

Well, that's not strictly true, because this couldn't be mistaken for anything else. Here you have top tunes composed by the likes of Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker, as well as less well-known jazz artistes.

But forget the idea of smoky New York clubs with some saxophonist spiralling up and up, out of control, or Woody Allen tootling away on his clarinet in the corner.

This is quite...controlled.

Quintessence have their own particular style. Rather like The King's Singers had theirs. Very smooth, very "professional".

You're going to think I hate it. Well, actually, I don't. This is background jazz that won't have you wincing like some of the more self-indulgent stuff.

Personally, I prefer jazz singers to a whole clutch of instrumentals, but I can see the hard work and seamless performances which have gone into this CD.

Spookily enough, having already mentioned The King's Singers, one of Quintessence's first "gigs" was a Swinging Bach event in Leipzig, at which the golden-tonsilled Brits were also on the bill.

The group itself admits it's music isn't "free" although that doesn't stop any of its five members improvising.

They're just so good at picking up where the other is going, it sounds like they meant to do it all the time.

Some of the highlights of the 13-track CD, which does indeed take you through the "essentials of jazz" (the 'standards' which have been handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth) include Seven Giant Steps to Heaven (courtesy of Davis and John Coltrane), and Anthropology.

Quintessence also take on the ubiquitous Take Five, but it's not a memorable rendition.

If you like your jazz wild, you'll find Quintessence a tame. If you like your jazz mild, this could be for you.

CPO Special 999 760-2