Clenchedwrench

For the better part of a quarter century now, former Black Flag bassist Kira Roessler and the mighty Mike Watt of Minutemen/fIREHOSE/Stooges fame have been working together on and off under the handle of Dos. It is a collaboration between two of the most innovative musicians American punk has enjoyed within its ranks. And after a 17 year hiatus, the former spouses reunite for 13 more tracks of crafty four-string minimalism.

Recorded sporadically between 2002 and 2005, Dos y Dos picks up exactly where Kira and Watt left off on 1996’s Justamente Tres in the continued conversation between the two bassists since coming together in 1985 following the tragic death of D. Boon and Roessler’s departure from Black Flag. Undertones of jazz improvisation inform this largely instrumental set, particularly evident on tracks like “Number Nine” and “Uncle Mike.” But it’s when the super duo’s voices intertwine within the rope work of their somber lead bass licks, as they do on “Make Her Me” and a surprisingly charming Kira-led cover of Selena’s No Me Queda Mas,” the true power of this historic pair-up really lights up, suggesting a slow sipping spin on the Young Marble Giants formula.

It would be great if they didn’t wait another 15 years for the follow-up, however.