Sporadic sonic exchanges exploring guidelines, graphic scores, or completely improvised, with an expansive instrumentorium from the sextet of Magali Babin, Andrea-Jane Cornell, Martine H Crispo, Anne-Francoise Jacques, Emilie Mouchous, and Erin Sexton.

Free improvising saxophonist Simon Rose, on baritone and alto sax, meets composer/arranger Stefan Schultze on prepared piano for 11 exploratory works based around Schultze's "modules"--bits and pieces attached inside the piano--creating unusual platforms for free improvisation.

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.

Vancouver-based Jay Crocker, half of Bent Spoon with Chris Dadge, in an album of electronics using homebuilt instruments and treatments, rhythmically based music with effective melodies and a quirky, sometimes lo-fi, but always engaging approach.

On the cover, Allison Camerson. Inside: Dave Burrell's Unsung Songbook; Peter Ablinger's Art of Time; Sabrina Schroeder's Stircrazer; plus reviews of recordings and events, label profiles, essays, &c. &c.

Two masters who rarely play together--guitarist Fred Frith and saxophonist Evan Parker--performing together as a duo at the 30th Musique Actuelle Festival in Victoriaville, Canada for an amazing exchange of ideas and intensely subtle dialog.

The Montreal duo of trumpeter Ellwood Epps and Josh Zubot on violin and low octave violin for 9 upbeat, technically superb and intricate instant improvisations, what they refer to as "foot-tapping for ghosts, seeing the northern lights from underwater".

On the cover, Jean Derome. Inside: Walter Smetak; Barbara Hannigan; Ian Tung; Cris Derksen; Alex Zhang Hungtai; plus reviews of recordings and events, a label profile, essays, &c. &c.

The Canadian duo of reedist Philippe Lauzier and bassist Eric Normand freely improvise in sound environments that are both introspective and precarious, using subtle and aberrant approaches to playing that evoke unusual aspects of their instruments in oddly refined dialog.

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.

Sporadic sonic exchanges exploring guidelines, graphic scores, or completely improvised, with an expansive instrumentorium from the sextet of Magali Babin, Andrea-Jane Cornell, Martine H Crispo, Anne-Francoise Jacques, Emilie Mouchous, and Erin Sexton.

After 14 years this Montreal trio dedicated to the works of Thelonius Monk, comprised of Jean Derome on alto and baritone sax, Pierre Cartier on electric bass, and Pierre Tanguay on drums, returns with 11 exuberant recordings including "Brilliant Corners", "Pannonica", &c.

Montreal's electroacoustic trio of Michel F Cote (percussion), Bernard Falaise (guitars) and Alexandre St-Onge (bass), in their 6th release, 12 succinct tracks of sophisticated improv merging unorthodox approaches for peculiarly satisfying compositions.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Six years of songs and compositions reflecting the life and travels of the Montreal quintet of Geraldine Eguiluz (voice, guitar, compositions), Marie-Lys Trudel (violin & viola); Julie Babaz (cello), Sheila Hannigan (cello) and Stephane Diamantakiou (bass).

Fall 2014 issue with a 12 track various artist CD from Canada's premiere new music magazine. On the cover: Kris Davis; articles on Wolf Edwards; Video Game Music; Ross Bolleter; plus Coppice; Lido Pimienta; The Muted Noise; live and recorded reviews; &c. &c.

Ever-active Calgary guitarist Scott Munro (Bent Spoon Duo) in his debut solo album of freely improvised guitar performed on a baritone guitar, treated and untreated, captured live at Weeds Cafe in 2010 & 2011.

The Vancouver duo of Cody Oliver and Chris Dadge is joined by multi-instrumentalist Scott Munro (Bend Spoon Duo) for a mix of acoustic and electronic improvisation to create unusual and interesting sonic environments and improvised discourse.

Free improvisation in the SME/Derek Bailey lineage from the duo of Stockholm-based John Arrias on sax and clarinet and Gothenburg-based Christian Munthe on acoustic guitar, using extended techniques with accessible language in unhurried and intertwining improvisations.

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.

UK multi-reed master Evan Parker brings an all-star electroacoustic septet to the 2014 Victoriaville Festival for the massive and wonderfully detailed two part composition "Seven", performed with Peter Evans, Okkyung Lee, George Lewis, Ikue Mori, Sam Pluta, and Ned Rothenberg.

A mix of sound art and improvisation from Quebec/Actuelle musician Helene Prevost, 10 minimal "Plages", or luminous surfaces, created with Eric Normand, Stephae Claude, and Mario Gauthier.

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.

The 3rd album NYC's Steve Lacy repertory band Ideal Bread led by John Sinton (baritone saxophone) with Kirk Knuffke (cornet), Adam Hopkins (bass) and Tomas Fujiwara (drums) in a double CD recomposing Lacy's "Scratching The Seventies / Dreams" in unique and fascinating ways.

The first-ever session from this Calgary supergroup, using drums, saxes, clarinets, flutes, trombones, basses, voices, noise, objects, and a bunch of other stuff.

The summer 2014 issue of Canada's premiere new music magazine and accompanying CD, with articles on Isaiah Ceccarelli, Petra Glynt, Erin Sexton, Caduc, Chiyoko Szlavnics, Louis Andriessen, Gil Delindro, plus reviews, listings, &c. &c.

The Toronto jazz quintet Drumheller with Nick Fraser on drums, Eric Chenaux on guitar, Brodie West on sax, Rob Cloutton on bass and Doug Tielli on trombone mix avant and traditional jazz with a variety of musical forms to create persuasive and thoroughly enjoyable music.

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.

Spring 2014 issue of Canada's best new music magazine, with articles on Margaret Noble, Nate Wooley, Victor Gama, plus articles, reviews, and a 13 track CD with tracks including Noble, Wooley, Gama, &c.

A rich work for clarinets, bass and drums orchestrated for six musicians including Actuelle core players Lori Freedman, Pierre Tanguay, and Lepage himself, through 14 works that may have something to do with a swamp.

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.

Having worked together in many projects for many years, this is the 1st trio record from Montreal improvisers Jean Derome, Malcolm Goldstein & Rainer Wiens, six free studio improvisations showing the subtle and sophisticated dialog that such long association yields.

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.

A superb instrumental exploration of the American musical language - jazz, folk, gospel, rock, bluegrass, orchestral, electronic, minimalism and post-modernism, with improvised parts played by Jean Derome, Jacques Seguin, Guillaume Bourque and Yanik Cloutier.

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.

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.

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.

New York drummer Harris Eisenstadt's new ensemble crosses the country with Chicago flutist Nicole Mitchell, NY & West Coast bassist Mark Dresser, and NY bassoonist Sara Schoenbeck, blending orchestral instruments in chamber and improvising contexts.

On the cover: Giorgio Magnanensi; Articles on Charlemagne Palestine; Sarah Neufeld; The Beirut Scene; Instant Places' Elastic Planets; Features on The Ondes Martenot; plus reviews of live events, recordings, books, &c &c.

The duo of Bryan Day (Eloine, Shelf Life) and instrument builder Jay Kreimer in what they describe as "confrontational gamelan theatre", a form of amplified metal/object-based improvisation.

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.

EVIYAN is Iva Bittova, Gyan Riley & Evan Ziporyn - 3 unique composer/performers merging into a singular sound, an intimate, acoustic blend of world roots, post-minimalism, jazz, rock, and cabaret.

Rosco Blur's groove-based jazz album with a great set of players including Paul Plimey (piano), Dylan van der Schyff (drums), spirited music with the occasional sung-spoken lyric, an album that harkens to the world of Roland Kirk with a modern edge.

The duo of pianist Dana Reason and drummer & sampler player Peter Valsamis in an album crossing boundaries of jazz, classical, and creative new music from two exceptional players involved in a rich dialog.

Tenor saxophonist Matthias Schubert leads a quartet with Claudio Puntin (clarinet) Carl Ludwig Hubsch (tuba), and Tom Rainey (drums), integrating New Orleans jazz forms into modern improvisation, including covering Jelly Roll Morton's "Shreveport Stomp".

Summer 2013 issue with 8 track CD. On the cover and featured: Colin Stetson. Profile on Buffalo new music. Articles on SlowPitch's Emoralis, soft-circuit sound sculpture. Plus reviews, events, words, &c.