Anthony Braxton may be revered for his orchestral works, but his duets have produced many highlights over the decades, above all his union with trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith and keyboardist-soundscaper Richard Teitelbaum. Here Braxton's partner is the South African harpist Jacqueline Kerrod, a musician known for her work in both contemporary classical and pop. The set they performed at the AngelicA festival in Bologna has moments of beauty that compare favourably to the aforementioned. First and foremost, this is a reminder of how sensitive, if not romantic a ballad player Braxton can be when the occasion calls for it.

There are passages of Desmondesque charm, where his levity and melodic reverie enable him to float like low clouds around Kerrod's rippling glissandos. Yet there are frequent drifts into a far spikier sound world in which Kerrod produces a range of effects, from dry pops of the strings to curt guitar-like chords and the iciest of high register shivers that belie any sense that the pair will only negotiate calm waters. Kerrod's wide range of textural manipulation, particularly the bassy chording, is an effective bridge with Braxton's ballooning swells of breath and busy, somersaulting motifs. A vivid conversation created by two strong characters who are able to balance empathy and virtuosity.