Kevin Kastning plays guitar, most often guitars that he makes. On this album that means a 17-string extended hybrid classical guitar, as 12-string contraguitar and a 12-string baritone guitar. He often works with Carl Clements, who pitches in here on soprano and tenor sax. These pieces are improvised dialogues between the two.

Kevin Kastning & Carl Clements Strand in Strands (Greydisc)

What I like about most of Kastning's work is that he's immensely approachable, despite the improvisational nature of his music. Clements is the perfect foil for Kastning's unusual guitar work. The texture of the reed blends nicely with the plucked guitar.

This is their sixth album together, and that rapport is obvious from the start. As they improvise, they riff off each other's ideas and often find a satisfying resolution at the end. This is still highly unusual music, but there are many points of entry for a more casual listener. Few experimental and improvisational artists have such a solid feel as this duo.

This set hews much closer to something recognizable as jazz than previous efforts, but in no way does it set any boundaries. These pieces may be a bit off-kilter, but there's no way to deny their beauty. Quite an intoxicating set.

Jon Worley