Toronto's amazing husband & wife team drummer Jean Martin and unusual vocalist Christine Duncan with guest guitarist Justin Haynes and Bernard Falaise, recommended!

Two guitarists from New York's Downtown and Montreal's Actuelle scenes in 11 guitar improvisations, experimental sounds constructed and deconstructed.

Antoine Berthiaume (guitar, effects) and MaryClare Brzytwa (flute, laptop, electronics) in twelve pieces of intriguing improvisation.

An eclectic assortment of old-fashioned entertainment, pre-harmonic bop, and Canada's new wave of avant garde mariachi from Jean Martin, Nick Fraser, Justin Haynes, &c..

Composer and guitarist Tim Brady in an ambitious project for a symphony in 5 movements for solo electric guitar, sampler, live electronics and a virtuoso chamber ensemble of 15 musicians.

Making extensive use of sampling and computer electronics, composer and guitarist Tim Brady combines a major work for 20 guitars on his debut record for Ambiances Magnetiques.

Thirteen new compositions by Michel F Cote that are tightly linked together by a poetic text, with Jean Derome, Diane Labrosse, Claude Lamothe, Robert Marcel Lepage, Rene Lussier, Ikue Mori, and Claude St-Jean.

Arthur Bull (guitars) and Daniel Heikalo (guitars, percussion) in six guitar duets and five other tracks in which the guitars pair up with Heikalo's percussion.

The first release by the duo of guitarists Arthur Bull and Daniel Heikalo which is a series of free improvisations that are presented without any editing or post-processing.

Inspired by jazz standards, bassist and composer Pierre Cartier combines the voice of Quebec's poets with new jazz to tackle the theme of love.

Melodic music recorded live in a Quebec church in 1989 with Jean-Denis Levasseur and Jean Derome on saxophones, Pierre Cartier on bass, and Pierre Tanguay on percussion.

Montreal/Actuelle players Sylvie Chenard on guitar and voice, Alexander Dubuc on bass, Cathy Heyden on sax, and Miriodor's Remi Leclerc on drums, with all providing electronics, in an encompassing ea-improv journey that balances acoustics with sonic environments and wonderfully controlled chaos.

An audio and acousmatic documentary of the sounds along the St. Lawrence River, above and below water, and the voices of the people living around the shore.

The quartet of Cosottini, Melano, Pisani, Miano (EAQuartet Electroacoustic) in compositions referring to the 4 cardinal map points using graphic scores, games, open readings, &c.

Unusual electronic improv that moves from light to dark with great grooves and unusual turns, from the core of Klaxon Gueule with Jesse Levine on organ.

Michel F Cote in a hybrid release of country and actuelle music that is unpredictable and funny with help from artists such as Bernard Falaise, Frank Martel, Billie Folliday, etc.

Ten new compositions by Jean Derome played by Trio Derome Guilbeault Tanguay on this first album of sophisticated group playing with ample room for improvisation.

Part of Rencontres de musiques spontanees 2009, Jean Derome on bird calls, flute & sax met percussionist Le Quan Ninh playing objects over bass drum for a long work of unusual improvisation.

The sequel to "Carnets de voyage", this release once again features compositions from Jean Derome, 8 new releases that were written on tour and are full of twists and turns.

25 chamber works composed by Montreal composer, multi-instrumentalist and improviser Jean Derome, presenting pieces from the wealth of projects he's involved in, including Dangereux Zhoms, Ensemble de flutes Alize, duos with Lori Freedmam, Quasar, quatuor de saxophones, &c.

A commissioned piece for Jean Derome by Montreal's O Vertigo dance troupe and their production "The Beast Within" that explores animalistic qualities in a dynamic mix of improvisation and composition.

A 1998 soundtrack by composer Jean Derome that was created for a film by John Walker that was conceived as a "suite in black and white" that gradually builds as it progresses.

A fantastic rock suite of eleven pieces performed by Andre Duchesne with fellow performers Patrick Hamilton, Christine Giguere, Stephane Allard, Melanie Belair, Jean Rene, and Pierre Tanguay.

Composer and guitarist Andre Duchesne creates a soundtrack for the film Le Royaume ou l'Asile, by Jean and Serge Gagne, that brings the listener into a world of illusions.

Andre Duchesne (composer, acoustic guitar) plays with Pierre Tanguay (drums) and Jean-Francois Denis (viola) on this fantastic release.

A solo poetic album by Andre Duchesne on acoustic guitar playing 14 beautiful songs.

A collection of 14 excerpts taken from five different concerts between 1998 and 2004 by Ensemble SuperMusique that include improvised and composed music as well as improvisation frameworks.

The debut recording from the duo of Montreal-based frequent collaborators, trumpeter Ellwood Epps and Joshua Zubot on violin and low octave violin, excellent extended dialog with elegant flair and great insight into each other's playing.

A tribute to the music of Thelonious Monk by the group Evidence, comprised of Pierre Cartier (bass), Jean Derome (reeds) and Pierre Tanguay (drums).

Violinist Del Fabbro (Fanfare Pourpour, Rouge Ciel) present 13 pieces for up to ten players with Jean Derome, Pierre Tanguay in a melting pot of avant-rock & compositional forms.

Bass clarinetist Freedman, with help from pianist Brigitte Poulin, interprets the works of modern composers including Giacinto Scelsi, Georges Aperghis, Monique Jean, &c.

The GGRIL is a Canadian ensemble of musicians who experiment with various forms of interactions possible in an orchestra without a conductor, bringing together a dozen musicians from different backgrounds.

Nine new works from the trio of Joane Hetu (sax, voice), Diane Labrosse (sampler, voice), and Danielle Palardy Roger (percussion, voice) with a moody and haunting atmosphere.

Saxophonist, vocalist, and composer Joane Hetu is joined by Jean Derome, Diane Labrosse, and Pierre Tanguay for a collection of songs celebrating love and life.

With lyrics inspired by Hindu erotic books, Arabic love games, and sensual songs; Joane Hetu presents her first CD of her own music with accompaniment from Jean Derome, Diane Labrosse, and Pierre Tanguay.

Beautiful, mysterious improvised compositions with spoken interludes, recorded live in March 2003 at the first Montréal/Nouvelles Musiques (MNM) festival.

Joane Hetu in her first solo album for alto saxophone and voice that is poetic and intimate.

Improvisers Michel Cote, Bernard Falaise & Alexandre St-Onge return to Ambiances Magnetiques in an album of dark acoustic improvisations, with guests Jean Derome, Philippe Lauzier & Gordon Allen.

A balance between composition and improvisation is sought in this album by The Ensemble Pierre Labbe that is a also a fusion of avant-garde jazz and classical music.

Commissioned and premiered at the 10th L'Off Festival de jazz de Montreal in 2009, this work performed with Jean Derome, Jean Rene, Bernard Falaise, Pierre Tanguay, &c.

Diane Labrosse's first solo CD on Ambiances Magnetiques is a collection of digital samples of various objects undergoing mysterious electronic treatments.

Composer Robert Marcel Lepage arranges a film score for a full-length film by Bernard Emond that is fascinating and enchanting.

Original music by Robert Marcel Lepage for the film "Full Blast", with help from Fred Fortin, Olivier Langevin, Jean-François Lemieux, Martin Tétreault, Marie-Jo Thério, etc..

Clarinetist Robert Marcel Lepage takes the listener on a trip around the world aboard his clarinet with the help of twenty other musicians.

Clarinetist Robert Marcel Lepage in a "sweet and slightly skewed homage" to the American clarinetist and swing player Pee Wee Russell.

Pianist Marilyn Lerner in a compilation of improvisations created by setting up different microphones in various configurations to highlight different sound qualities of the piano.

Eighteen songs by the dynamic quartet Locomotive, led by composer and guitarist Andre Duchesne, that are intelligent, melodic, and energetic.

A solo work from Pierre-Yves Martel performing two works for the viola da gamba, bringing this fretted renaissance-era ancestor to the violin into the 21st century through two slowly evolving and sonically fascinating pieces.

A solo session of Pierre-Yves Martel on prepared double bass with no over-dubs or post-processing.

Drummer and loopster Jean Martin with multi-instrumentalist Colin Fisher in a veritable orchestra of sound resources, inspired and imaginative studio work.

Much more than a simple duo, with overdubbed saxophone Martin & Shaw make large and complex environments & orchestral sections over which they nimbly improvise.

After touring Canada extensively for 3 years the trio of Jean Martin, Justin Haynes and Kevin Turcotte released this CD of wide-ranging and excellent recordings.

Percussionist Michel F Cote takes his Mecha Fixes Clocks ensemble (Philippe Lauzier-sax, Elwood Epps-trumpet, Jean Rene-sax, Pierre-Yves Martel-feedback, Bernard Falaise-guitar, Guillaume Dostaler-piano) on a compelling audio tour of air travel.

Bassist Eric Normand's compositions showcase the incredibly talented quintet of James Darling (cello), Antoine Letourneau-Berger (vibes), Michel F. Cote (drums/feedback) and Jean Derome (flute, sax, birdcall).

The Bent Spoon Duo of Chris Dadge and Scott Munro met bassist Eric Normand (Tour De Bras, Ambiances Magnetiques) while Normand was on tour to record these ragged electro-acoustic improvisations.

Trio improvisations with guitar, violin, and an assortment of noise elements, thoughtful pieces that use space wisely as they prepare for vicious attacks of sound.

An eclectic collection of mostly improvisational songs that use sampling and other electronic processing on raw instrumental material, that is then combined with new improvisation to reshape the material even further.

Le Grand Groupe Regional d'Improvisation Liberee (GGRIL) of the St. Lawrence region is conducted by British saxophonist Evan Parker in this live concert held in Rimouski after a workshop hosted by Evan Parker.

A live recording from the improvising trio of Gordon Allen, Michel F. Cote and Alexandre St-Onge, rendering acoustics and electronics in dark and unconventional techniques.

Recorded live in 2004, Quartet Noir unites Urs Leimgruber, Marilyn Crispell, Joelle Leandre, and Fritz Hauser in deep long-form improvisations, where vivid detail and patient interaction shape evolving structures, balancing unpredictability with a cohesive, resonant group sound born of longstanding collaboration.

The Ratchet Orchestra is a large ensemble of 30 fringe musicians from Montreal headed by director Nicolas Caloia whose compositions allow for improvised chamber jazz and showcase the talents of the orchestra's most passionate players.

Jocelyn Robert's first release on Ambiances Magnetiques in a four-disc set that shows off his solo work and highlights the contributions from other artists who have worked with him through the years.

Italian drummer Mirko Sabatini on a solo album that explores different aspects of his instrument's sound and mechanics through interesting improvisation.

Vocalist and guitarist Jerry Snell in his first album of twelve songs that are based on a text he wrote about social and political conflicts around the world.

The 2nd release from the Montreal free improvising trio Joshua Zubot (violin), Bernard Falaise (guitar) and Isaiah Ceccarelli (drums/percussion) is a magnificent example of open-minded improvisation using unusual and sparkling approaches to sound and discourse.

Montreal artists Isaiah Ceccarelli on percussion, Bernard Falaise on electric guitar and Josh Zubot on violon, impressive textural music from contemplative soundscapes to frantic climaxes.

The duo of Arthur Bull on guitars & harmoia and Eric Normand on electric bass and tenor banjo, and both on voice, taking on American rural songs--delta blues, cajun music, and Quebecois laments, &c--with a modern eye and a good sense of humor.

The solo debut album from electronic artist and composer Pierre Tanguay is a collection of dark ambient background music that is minimalist in nature but also very impressive.

Bassist Nic Caloia (Ratchet Orchestra) with his Montreal based quartet of pianist Guillaume Dostaler, drummer Isaiah Ceccarelli and Jean Derome on baritone sax and bass flute, in an album of great compositional mood and creative playing.

An incredibly informed instant-composing ensemble drawing on free jazz and post rock sensibilities with nods to Indian ragas, jazz-inflected minimalism, Zappa-esque bouts of sonic anarchy, and German rock music from the 1970s, captured live at Toronto, Guelph and Hamilton, Canada in 2012.

Two albums together. "Carrousel": The Paris based Theo Ceccaldi Trio crosses improv with chamber music in a string trio of lyrical, subtle and advanced improvisation. "Can You Smile": Ceccarelli expands his trio with bassist/free vocalist Joelle Leandre for rich, interactive improvisation.

The Italian duo of pianist Gianni Lenoci and soprano saxophonist Gianni Mimmo using extended and unusual techniques through eight improvisations mixing melody, timbre and tone.

Guitarist Berthiaume steps away from composition and jazz to record an album of intricate instrumental guitar songs with folk influences, playing solo and in small ensembles.

Guitarist Antoine Berthiaume leads the trio of Michel Donato (bass) and Pierre Tanguay (drums) in this lively album of eleven original compositions.

Jean Derome, Joane Hetu, Danielle Palardy Roger, Alexandre St-Onge and Martin Tetreault each composed works for this stellar group of nine Montreal-based musique actuelle players, a startling and wonderful release of style, approach and concept.

Quartetski Does Stravinsky with drummer Isaiah Ceccarelli, guitarist Bernard Falaise, reedist Phillipe Lauzier, viole de gamaba player Pierre-Yves Martel and violinist Joshua Zubot reinterpret Stravinsky's Rite of Spring in honor of its 100th anniversary.

Eleven songs by Montreal trombonist Scott Thomson, settings of poems by P.K. Page (1916-2010), one of Canada's distinguished literary figures, in a band with Pierre Tanguay on drums, Yves Charuest on sax, Nicolas Caloia on double bass, and Susanna Hood on vocals.

Eric Normand's Quebec based 12-piece GGRIL (Grand Groupe Regional d'Improvisation) in an album of 5 improvisations and a piece by percussionist Danielle P. Roger; wonderfully creative music with eclectic instrumentation that's simultaneously challenging and fun.

Co-founder of the Association of Improvising Musicians in Toronto (AIMToronto) and a member of The Rent, Scott Thomson presents a solo trombone release of explorative approaches to the instrument, masterful work from one of Canada's leading improvisers.

The Architek Percussion ensemble is a Montreal quartet performing works by Canadian composers, using percussion, drums, sampling, electronics and synth in wonderfully odd ways, here with two guest performers presenting works composed and mixed by Elliot Britton.

Bridging contemporary and improvised music, Montreal double bassist Nicolas Caloia wrote these pieces for textured and impossible rhythms; blending pieces by Nancarrow and Grand Master Flash; and manipulating poems by Genevieve Letarte; with supporting improv from Jean Derome & Lori Freedman.