Though not intended as such, this collaborative album from reed and wind player Larry Stabbins and drummer Mark Sanders � Stabbins & Sanders sounding like a solicitor's chambers � is reminiscent of many of the library music editions undertaken in the '60s-'70s that provided soundtracks in a variety of moods and styles for film, television and radio. That the tracks are numbered "Cup" or "Ring" pieces, with each identifying the instrument Stabbins uses, adds to the impression.

This is a multi-generational encounter, Stabbins part of the second wave of Britain's avant garde and first heard with Keith Tippett (to be a regular partner) and drummer Mark Sanders coming up several years later and known for his long association with other saxophonists like Elton Dean and Paul Dunmall. They have worked together on occasion � at least what has been documented � with this album their first outing as duo.

Stabbins moves among his instruments fairly equally, alto flute, alto sax and bass clarinet each getting three pieces, concert flute two. The 11 improvisations, 5 "Cup" and 6 "Ring", average around a little over 5 minutes, with second track "Ring No.1" the longest at 8:09 and fifth track "Cup No.2" shortest at 4:10.

The music falls into three general categories: invocations via the flutes; mellow free jazz courtesy of alto saxophone or bass clarinet; and sounds of nature, again from the flutes, with the second groups having Sanders emphasize his kit, the first and third more colored by percussion. The one deviation is the fire music from alto saxophone and drums that is fourth track "Ring No.3".

Stabbins and Sanders are deliberate and efficient and there will be something from everyone on this date, from fans of non-idiomatic improvisation to someone looking for the perfect accompaniment to their yoghurt commercial.