When the intention was never there - such as the case with the inimitable Brecker brothers.
Saxophonist Michael and horn player Randy went their separate ways in 1981. A pioneer of the electronic wind instrument, Michael has become a household name in the US due to his association with Paul Simon. Randy achieved a status in his own right by joining forces with Jaco Pastorius.
''We hadn't really decided to break up for as long as we did. The original idea was to take a relatively short break and pursue other things. We just got busy. The next thing we knew it was 10 years later,'' said Randy.
It would have been a perfect name for their reunion album, Ten Years Later. Instead, it is simply titled Return of the Brecker Brothers.
Although Michael and Randy started talking seriously three years ago, ''things'' got in the way.
''Michael was contacted by Paul Simon to take part in the Rhythm of the Saints tour,'' Randy said.