Things We Like returns Jack Bruce to his early love of jazz in collaboration with guitarist John McLaughlin, saxophonist Dick Heckstall-Smith, and drummer Jon Hiseman. This all-instrumental set takes the ex-Cream bassist from the bop-inflected rigor of “Over the Cliff” through the angular tumult of “Sam Enchanted Dick Medley” into the dreamy elegance of “Ballad for Arthur” as it nods toward jazz fusion while maintaining its own distinct approach. Heckstall-Smith’s caressing-to-cacophonous sax lines on “Statues” and McLaughlin’s audacious fretwork on “HCKHH Blues” are among the album’s many highlights.