This Calgary based trio with Jay Crocker on guitar & electronics, J.C. Jones on trombone and Eric Hamelin on drums & percussion, mix free bop with small sound electronic improv.

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.

Based on Canadian physician & author Jacques Ferron's book "Gaspe Mattempa", bassist Eric Normad leads a quintet into a mythological audio world with Raphael Arsenault (violin), Philippe Lauzier (bass clarinet), Alexandre Robichaud (trumpet) & Antoine Letourneau-Berger (percussion).

A beautifully building release of guitar and percussion, one long track that adds intensity from lovely minimalism to Fripp-ian chords and driving drum work.

Drawing from some of the finest of the West Coast and Vancouver scenes, The Now Orchestra present 3 long works in multiple section, with performers including Peggy Lee, Vinny Golia, George Lewis, Dylan van der Schyff, &c. &c.

Nozen is a crossroads of contemporary jazz, musique actuelle and the musical traditions of Jewish Eastern Europe, contrasting styles giving birth to a deep and spontaneous music.

Recording on Calgary, CA guitarist Cody Oliver's old resonator guitar, this set of untitled solo recordings finds Oliver playing every inch of the guitar, using the body, pickups, strings and natural resonance as equal partners in exploring unusual territory.

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.

Composer and vocalists Juliet Palmer leads an ensemble of vocalists through works that use layering of voices using lyrics from Emily Dickinson, Nicholas Power, Julie Salverson, Anna Cahtterton, and Christine Duncan, a fascinating mixture of haunting acappella interaction, solo voice, and one work with electronic backing and one over an ultrasound.

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.

British saxophonist Evan Parker came to Toronto in 2009 as a guest of the AIMToronto (Association of Improvising Musicians Toronto) Interface Series, recording his trio with Wes Neal (double bass) and Joe Sorbara (drums).

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.

William Parker performed these three solo pieces at Tortono's Somewhere There, performing on acoustic bass, dousn'gouni and double flute, distinctive and inspired solo work.

David Payne (Fossils, Slut Mouth, Middle James Co.) solo offers a wasted take on the acoustic guitar, which is mangled, scraped, rubbed, fingered, bent, and subjected to a variety of preparations.

Named for the moment when a Peregrine Falcon falls from flight to attack its prey, the Vancouver duo of Gordon Grdina on guitars, oud, electronics and Kenton Loewen on drums and percussion present a heavy album of improvised rock with raw energy, riveting technique and powerful grooves with an Arabic influence and essence; of interest to King Crimson fans.

The Vancouver based Bent Spoon Duo of Scott Munro on viola, trombone, electronics & zither and Chris Dadge on percussion meets Toronto's Nilan Perera on electric guitar, performing at Weeds Cafe in Calgary, for a rich interactive release of free improvisation.

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.

Three vicious improvisers from some of Montreal's most ferocious and fascinating practicioners: drummer Michel F. Cote, trumpeter Ellwood Apps, and bassist Alexandre St-Onge.

Claude St-Jean's band, Les Projectionnistes (Tommy Babin, Bernard Falaise, Pierre Labbe, Remi Leclerc), plays an ecletic mix of songs ranging from alternative jazz, rock, and improv.

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.

Composed between 1926 and 1939, "Mikrokosmos" was Bela Bartok's attempt to solve certain technical problems in the art of piano playing, here adapted by the 5-piece Quartetski into a fascinating series of progressive exercises and etudes, oddly enough presented without a piano.

Montreal saxophone quartet Quasar (Jean-Marc Bouchard, Marie-Chantal Leclair, Mathieu Leclair, & Andre Leroux) in their 3rd incredible album of contemporary saxophone compositions, presenting 14 rich and varied compositions, including commissioned and premier works.

The Canadian Council for the Arts commissioned this work by Hungarian composer Gyula Csapo, a student of Morton Feldman amd John Cage, realized by Montreal's Quatuor Bozzini quartet, "Deja? Koja?" meaning "Already? Where to?" is a three-part work with two intermissions, an epic work that references the same basic materials in a variety of perspectives.

Montreal's Quatuor Bozzini string quartet worked with composer Christopher Butterfield, who wrote two of these pieces ("Trip" and "Fall") specifically for QB, alongside three other works from 20 years of composing that use unusual instructions and scores for the performers.

Intelligent and inspired compositions by saxophonist Evan Shaw and trumpeter Nicole Rampersaud performed with Jean Martin (drums and laptop), Wes Neal (double bass), and Tomasz Krakowiak (percussion).

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.

This Toronto quintet spent two years researching and performing the music of Steve Lacy, focusing on the vocal works, which they play with precision, imagination and love.

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.

Composer Danielle Palardy Roger presents a work for a 13-voice mixed choir, two speakers, two soloists, and two percussionists in a satirical elegy that is an account of a man's last agonizing moments.

Percussionist Danielle Palardy Roger's first major solo composition in 13 pieces which is performed by Claude Beaugrand, Jean Derome, André Duchesne, Joane Hétu, Diane Labrosse, and Martin Ouellet.

Written in 1998, Danielle Palardy Roger's game piece composition was performed at the first Ensemble SuperMusique concert, here in 7 versions recorded at various locations in bands including Joelle Leandre, Joane Hetu, Guido Del Fabbro, Jean Derome, &c. &c.

3 live recordings from 3 ensembles - GGRIL, Ensemble SuperMusique and ECM+ - exploring relationsips between early music and contemporary creative music; with Jean Derome, Joane Hetu, Diane Labrosse, Bernard Falaise, &c. &c.

Tenor and baritone saxophones in an exchange of spectral interactions that emphasize harmonic overtones and intersections, unusual emanations from both instruments in a perfectly paced improvisations, each of the 12 dialogs named aptly for locations and crossing in Englad and France, adding a sense of journey to these mysterious and wonderful expeditions.

Saxophonist Simon Rose, a member of Badland with Steve Noble and Simon Fell, in a duo with drummer Pascal Nichols, label leader of Krayon Recordings, for an understated set of extended improvisations.

The fifth CD in the Canadian Composers Series is also the debut appearance on Another Timbre by the Jack Quartet, performing works by composer Marc Sabat--two string quartets and a violin/cello duo--all combining an exploration of the soundworld of Just Intonation with a strong underlying lyricism.

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

The chamber rock 8 piece Saint Dirt Elementary School ensemble in their second release on Barnyard, superb sophisticated compositions reminiscent of L'Ensemble Raye or Conventum.

Guitarist and composer Myk Freedman's little big band, a salon orchestra that's both entertaining and remarkably sophisticated, a playground of styles and ideas.

Presented at the Vancouver International Improvisation Festival and the Vancouver International Jazz Festival, guitarist Ron Samworth's conceptual work explores the life and dreams of a dog, with narration from Barbara Adler and an incredible ensemble including cellist Peggy, keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, trumpeter JP Carter, drummer Dylan van der Schyff, etc.

Singer/songwriter Julie McGeer leads a band of some of Western Canada's foremost players from the jazz and indie scene including Peggy Lee, JP Carter, Paul Rigby, Cole Schmidt, Darren Parris & Barry Mirochnik in an embraceable album combining jazz, indie pop and folk roots.

Montreal/Actuelle turntablist Martin Tetreault and Berlin turntablist Ignaz Shcick in two sets of recordings from two encounters in Belgium and Switzerland, 2006.

Montreal free improvisers in an album straddling improvisation, actuelle, and rock influences, with drummer Michel F. Cote, guitarist Sam Shalabi, and bass/electronicist Alexandre St-Onge.

Verge Music founder Daniel Kernohan aka Dee Kay and radio host Dan Lander developed this album of electroacoustic interaction between 1987-1989 in a dilapidated row house on "the wrong side of the tracks" in Toronto, using "instruments, toys, stuff, sound" to create an amusing, sometimes startling, and insightful series of interactions; unpredictable and interesting.

A richly refined and sophisticated album drawing on improvisation, experimenation and rock elements from the collaborative Vancouver ensemble Sick Boss of core members guitarist Cole Schmidt, bassist James Meger and drummer Daniel Gaucher, with guests including guitarist Tony Wilson, cellist Peggy Lee, trumpeter JP Carter, synth player Tyson Naylor, &c. &c.

Canadian composer Linda Catlin Smith's extended composition for violin and percussion in 15 parts, performed by percussionist Simon Limbrick and violinist Mira Benjamin, a unique orchestration that reveals a journey of steady pace, tension and beauty.

Ten pieces dating from 1995 to 2015 from Canadian composer Linda Catlin Smith, performed by Quatuor Bozzini and Apartment House, the first in Another Timbre's Canadian Composer series, a 2-CD release focusing on Smith's "equal and simultaneous drive toward abstraction and lyricism" in slowly developing, lush and sophisticated compositions.

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.

Songwriter/singer John Southworth, supremely crafted, elegiac songs featuring Barnyard artists Justin Haynes on guitar, Jean Martin on drums and Andrew Downing on bass.

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.

Three works from Canadian composer Chiyoko Szlavnics, two electroacoustic compositions incorporating sinewaves, one with a saxophone quartet and the other with two accordions, two flutes and two percussionists; and a string trio of long sustained tones and slow glissandi.

T H O M A S is the ongoing brainchild of Toronto's Thom Gill, since 2009 exploring the world of song, at home and abroad, through pieces that blur the lines between pop and avant-garde.

Geographic improvisations from this trio of string and percussion players, with each track named by location and distance between Montreal and Chelsea, Ontario.

Percussionist Ziya Tabassian plays solo tombak, the main percussion instrument used in Persian classical music, in 9 pieces that explore the large range of tones and nuances of the instrument.

Inuit throat singer Tanya Tagaq in a bizarre and amazing performance at the Victoriaville Festival in 2010 with Drip Audio director Jesse Zubot on violin and Barnyard boss Jean Martin on drums, computer, trumpophone.

The trio of Montreal percussionist Pierre Tanguay with Belgian saxophonist Erwinn Vann and bassist Michel Mergaerts in spirited an polyrhythmic improvisations.

The duo of Pierre Tanguay on drums and percussion and Tom Walsh on trombone in a release of minimalist construction that blends composition and improvisation.

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.

The meeting of Martin Tetreault and Otomo Yoshihide, two turntable master manipulators, in a studio recording from Montreal, in a collection of 21 improvisations that explore different themes.

Picking up where 1. Grrr leaves off, this album is the second addition of the turntable duo of Martin Tetreault and Otomo Yoshihide in a collection of live, improvised recordings.

Following 1. Grrr and 2. Tok, this is the third and final part of a series of live recordings from the improvising turntable duo of Martin Tetreault and Otomo Yoshihide.

Using extended and unsual techniques of cutting up, scratching, scraping, sanding grooves, even ironing his records, turntabilist Martin Tetreault approaches new music in audacious ways.

Two CDs from experimental electronic artist Martin Tetreault; one a studio work from 1991-92 using sampling, the second a collection of various experimental works recorded between 1984 and 86.

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.

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.

Montreal's great jazz trio of saxophonist Jean Derome, bassist Normand Guilbeault, & drummer Pierre Tanguay, in an album of original compositions and work by Dolphy, Ellington, Kirk, Mengelberg & Strayhorn.

Sax and flute player/Ambiances Magnetique label leader Jean Derome's excellent jazz trio with bassist Normand Guilbeault and drummer Pierre Tanguay, in their 4th release, with three Derome originals and 4 standards including a Dolphy number.

An anthology of 24 unreleased works by various members of Ambiances Magnetiques: Michel F Cote, Jean Derome, Andre Duchesne, Joane Hetu, Diane Labrosse, Robert Marcl Lepage, etc..

A live concert recording from 1992 featuring five groups of fifteen total musicians playing 17 previously unreleased tracks.

A compilation of seventeen tracks featuring artists such as Rene Lussier, Jean Derome, Pierre Tanguay, Robert Marcel Lepage, Andre Duchesne, Joane Hetu, &tc.

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.

The UK and Vancouver meet for a second release under the Way Out Northwest name - British saxophone master John Butcher with bassist Torsten Muller and drummer Dylan van der Schyff - recording for Sonarchy Radio.

1st release for the duo of wind player Linsey Wellman and percussionist Mike Essoudry embracing stasis and movement, meditation and exuberance, delicacy and amplitude.

Calgary's saxophonist Darren Williams, who has worked with Mats Gustafsson, Cody Oliver, Eugene Chadbourne, and Han Bennink, in a solo album of remarkable power using extended techniques in composed and improvised pieces that push Williams into astounding territory.

The first recording of Tony Wilson's music inspired by the plight and lives of the homeless and drug addictied in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, in a band with P Carter on trumpet, Jesse Zubot on violin, Peggy Lee on cello, Russell Sholberg on bass and Skye Brooks on drums.

Tony Wilson Sextet's was formed almost 20 years ago to perform his original compositions and arrangements, here performing Benjamin Britten's Lachrymae and 4 original works.