Global Spirit II The jazz ensemble Global Spirit  exemplifies the universal nature of music and is a testament to the ease of inter-cultural dialogue through the medium of jazz improvisation. Common threads between every culture on the planet make it possible to develop a musical language which is universally accessible while remaining an honest personal expression. The group is led by British saxophonist/composer Greg Lyons who’s own background in Europe and America has produced a style inspired by the 1970’s jazz-rock scene, blended with contemporary bebop and then heavily influenced by Brazilian and Cuban music. More recently, his experiences in Asia have infused his music with new flavour and created a wholly personal take on world music with a hard-edged improvisational angle. With the inclusion of guitarist Eugene Pao from Hong Kong we have one of the most original and articulate jazz improvisers in Asia. Eugene is already a highly respected jazz artist internationally with a collection of CDs recorded with such luminaries as Michael Brecker, Peter Erskine, Mark Johnston and Bob Berg. Singer Angelita Li is perhaps the only singer in Asia with as much interest in the traditions and disciplines of her own region as she has for her adopted jazz heritage. Her style belies a wide cultural horizon as her influences run from Brazilian music and acid-jazz to s classical Indian styles. She also has the discipline to approach material that most singers would not attempt, and can truly be regarded as an instrumentalist in any ensemble. Malaysian master-percussionist Lewis Pragasam is one of the most highly regarded drummers in the world. Trained in the discipline of the Indian classical tradition as well as the tradition of modern jazz, he adds an incredible array of colours to the band's pallette, and uses an awesome vocabulary of polyrhythmic dexterity that acts as a dazzling foundation to the ensemble's grooves. British trumpeter Damon Brown has spent most of his life making a name for himself in the European jazz circuit. His playing reflects a debt to the great bebop trumpet players, but his bag of tricks belies a knowledge of diverse stylings including reggae. He plays with arresting melodic directness and has a very clearly communicative flow of ideas. His compositions reflect a mix of hard-bop and modal. The pulse of the band is with Californian bassist Christy Smith, representing the continents of both America and Africa. His incredible diversity as a musician is utilised here within the broad stylistic compass of this ensemble. His solid underpinnings are the perfect foil for the fervent polyrhythms of Pragasam and the two provide an intense and inspiring platform for the others.