September 2018 saw ten years since the death of the South African musician Bheki Mseleku, and newly formed sextet Hexagonal paid tribute to him on their debut album ‘McCoy and Mseleku’, pairing his music with that of another major pianist-composer, McCoy Tyner. Hexagonal’s focus is very much on the African side of both composers, with John Donaldson’s skilful arrangements revealing fascinating connections between the two greats. The collective consists of six of the best musicians active on the UK scene today, several members of the band having worked with McCoy and Bheki, lending the project a distinct authority and authenticity. Composer and reeds players Jason Yarde had the ‘pleasure and pressure’ of working with McCoy Tyner, while bassist Simon Thorpe and pianist Donaldson both toured with Bheki Mseleku in the years leading up to his death.