British composer Clive Osgood (b 1977) writes mostly choral music and has recorded quite a bit of it, though this album of his chamber music is the first that has come our way. These works are all conservatively tonal and for the most part lively and joyful.

Though many show an interest in classical models, they eschew deep engagement with its forms and style in favor of a more compact, immediate, and digestible contemporary sound, ranging from minimalism to jazz to Latin-American music. The later works, like the string quartet, piano quartet, and the piano trio, are generally light and fluffy; the earlier works are a bit more serious and substantial, like the Latin-influenced ‘Tresillo’ for piano quintet (2008) and the somewhat Franckian sonatas for flute (2004) and cello (2006). This is all likable, attractive music that places little demand on listeners. Good sound and fine performances; notes by the composer.