Susie Ibarra/Mark Dresser

Two improvisers from different generations meet for a laid-back duo session. Ibarra is still best known for her fiery work in David S. Ware’s band several years ago, although her solo efforts, particularly on Tzadik, are a better comparison for this music. Dresser is one of the hardest working bassists in the last three decades in New York, playing with and absorbing influences from Anthony Braxton to John Zorn. This would be a swinging rhythm section in anyone's band, but both have performed highly structured music in their careers and thus the improvisations on this disc are controlled and concise statements. The two have wonderful exchanges both melodically and rhythmically. "Jump" and "Metastyle” contain some simple but deadly groove passages. The latter especially showcases the kind of airy pulse Ibarra can produce. This duo’s greatest success is with more thematic pieces where they both get to work on their dynamics. Ibarra is especially strong with mallets and brushes, and listening to "Metatone,” one can really hear her gift for nuanced tones. Dresser can always deftly deconstruct a theme against Ibarra’s pulse. His bowing and chordal playing often ends up tonally Ibarra’s sounds. Their rapport translates into a great deal of funky unison passages. It's refreshing to hear freedom within a plan, and organically generated microtonality within satisfying grooves.