Manchester provided the backdrop to the twelfth triumphant instalment of the recent Manchester Jazz Festival. Jazz and its inter-connectedness with world roots music dominated, illustrated by Neil Yates' New Origins group exploring Celtic-Iberian connections. Meanwhile the evocative playing of The Chosen, Sylvan Richardson's latest project, fused classical, jazz and Middle Eastern sounds. Tango and jazz were once considered uncomfortable bedfellows, but Tango Siempre impressively continue the classic repertoire, weaving in contemporary influences from Pablo Zeigler to Goldfrapp. Defying a gusty wind, their performance and latest CD, Tangents make for essential listening. A second theme was the southern European presence. Italys Riccardo Brazzale and Lydian Sound Orchestra conjured up the controlled anarchy of the Mingus Big Band perfectly. Further along the Mediterranean the emotive sounds of Spain emerged with Madrilenos Dead Capo who encapsulate the dynamic attitude of the capital with their eclecticism, encompassing post-bop, paso doble and surfer music.