By 1989, the saxophonist, composer and band leader Trevor Watts was already recognised as a major player on the London improvised music playing circuit. In the 1970s, drummer Lee Genockey – from Liverpool – had been more involved with the rock music scene, but an illuminating conversation about music led the two disparate musicians to discover that they had similar interests and a creative bond was eventually made between them.

After playing with Watts as part of his Amalgam trio, Genockey went on to play in the saxophonist's other groups (Moire Music, Moire Music Drum Orchestra and Trevor Watts String Ensemble).

This JiB recording, however, explores their musical partnership as a duo, with Watts firmly in the driving seat while Genockey tentatively prises open up new percussive entry points.

On the long opener ‘Rhythmic Variants’ elements of Moroccan music filter through Watts’ energetically blown soprano, bowled along by rolling gusts of bellow and squeak as Genockey tenderly answers back through the rhythmic slapping of his drum kit. The other two pieces pay homage to jazz greats Charlie Parker and Eric Dolphy, sounding more styled towards straight jazz playing than unpredictable improvisation. ‘Echoes Of Bird’ is the longer of the two, a joyous celebration with, at one point, Watts locked into a revolving loop that gradually unwinds into a cluster of trilling notes.

The final track ‘Dedicated To Eric D’ is initially more spacious in its approach, before both players link together for a lively exchange of fluid notes, bass drum beats and cracking rim shots.