Born in Baltimore, Maryland, in August 1975, free jazz and free improvising trumpeter Taylor Ho Bynum was taught at Wesleyan University, Middleton, Connecticut, where he was a student of Anthony Braxton. He became a member of such Braxton ensembles as his quartet, two of his septets and his Diamond Curtain Wall Quartet as well as prestigious ensembles such as Electric Percussive Orchestra, Fred Ho and the Green Monster Big Band.

Born in Oxford, England, in 1981, British jazz pianist, organist, composer and band leader Alexander Hawkins can claim as many impressive connections as Ho Bynum if not more, having attracted musicians on both sides of the Atlantic such as Evan Parker, the late great Louis Moholo-Moholo, John Edwards, Wadada Leo Smith...; in particular, in January 2020, just prior to Covid striking, when a Braxton quartet played a three-day residency at Café Oto, London, Hawkins played piano in it, to rave reviews.

Given all of the above, it is unsurprising that Hawkins and Ho Bynum got together as a duo to record an album; in fact, it is surprising that they did not do so sooner. A Near Permanent State Of Wonder was recorded by Greg DiCrosta at Firehouse 12, New Haven, Connecticut, on September 20th and 21st 2024, and mixed and mastered in London, UK, by Alex Bonney. Hawkins and Ho Bynum are the only players heard on the album, playing piano and cornet or flugelhorn respectively. With the exception of two Bill Dixon compositions, "Q (Index)" and "X (Index)", all compositions were by Alexander Hawkins. At 9' 30", "Q (Index)" is the longest piece on the album, which has a total running time of 43' 36".

From first note to last, the two musicians sound as if they were totally focussed on one another and concentrated on their responses to the other one. Occasionally, when it seems appropriate, one of the two players gives the other one the limelight, knowing full well that their turn will come in return. With no rhythm section as such, Hawkins and Ho Bynum have to take the job on themselves, a task which they make sound as easy as breathing. The album is one of those which cries out to be heard again as soon as it has finished. The only question which A Near Permanent State Of Wonder will cause listeners to ask is "When is this duo's next album due to come out?"