Scottish saxophonist Laura Macdonald and Swedish drummer Martina Almgren have been attracting press headlines for - whatever next? - being women who play jazz.

It's true that having two women as co-leaders of a band is slightly unusual. The real story here, however, is that the pair, who got together as part of last February's Jazz from Sweden initiative and have cemented the partnership with subsequent gigs and a brand-new CD, are producing some of the freshest-sounding jazz on the current scene.

They share composing credits equally and while both show a liking for dance metres, there's a variety of approach in their writing that over two 45-minute sets makes for a really satisfying and stimulating listen.

Macdonald's The Land of Beauty sets out to pay homage to her native traditional music beguilingly, although its ultimate compulsion lies in a church music vibe that pianist Paul Harrison brings out in one of a series of brilliantly imaginative solos. The saxophonist herself can sing, although she doesn't here, and there's a vocal quality in the way she phrases, as if she's thinking of lyrics as she plays.

Almgren's contribution, as well as the brightly melodic Juliett and Bingo, which in a different setting could easily metamorphose into jazz-funk, really emphasises the group's European origins and inclinations.

With bassist Mario Caribe providing the ever-reliable root, Almgren can really make the music breathe, opening up the rhythms with an industry tempered by a light, musical touch. Her drumming, very much from the Nordic school of rhythm, emphasises a composition's contours and supports the soloists' creativity without drawing unnecessary attention to itself.