Frank Gratkowski and Hamid Drake have a long relationship with New Orleans, having made it a frequent performance destination throughout their careers. Their debut as a duo was recorded live at Piety Street Studios in the Bywater, for Benjamin Lyons’ Valid label. The combination of sax and drums has a long history in improvised music, and its virtues are on full display here. While this type of pairing has its limitations, its simplicity allows for an exceptionally high level of spontaneous synchronicity.

Forced to be a one-man rhythm section, Drake spins out an endlessly shifting polyrhythmic web. Gratkowski’s approach is original from the get-go, starting with a solo in which his playing alternates with soft vocalizations. At another point, he seems to coax his instrument into harmonizing with itself, then there are moments when the two seem to switch roles, Gratkowski supplying a repetitive rhythmic figure while Drake’s percussion takes on a more melodic bent.

Toward the end of “Square Root of Distraction,” Gratkowski begins a fluttering, percussive excursion into the upper register and Drake responds by dropping into perfectly complementary, low-pitched, hand drumming. The two maneuver into a steady groove before fading into a subtle duet of shakers and key noise. It’s a beautiful example of their dexterity as a duo. That same deep, mutual sensitivity is on exhibit throughout the record.