Modern classical stuff: Accessible but challenging; pleasant; intellectual without feeling cold. A variety of settings: two solo performances, a duet, two small chamber groups. Some minimalist Reich/Glass influence in the longer, group-driven pieces (1,5), where long rhythms play out that are similar but not quite identical. Every track is really good. Don't be scared of the long ones.

1- (16:25) Gentle and fast percussiveness, in Philip Glass-ian waves. Flute and guitar it a soft touch, pillowy. The rhythm changes frequently but creates a uniform, monochrome feel. Second half opens up more, ending with some quick-paced pastoral melody.
2- (5:45) Solo percussion, cool! A fast, clocky sound in complex rhythms (of course). Played on ceramic tiles.
3- (4:18) Acoustic guitar, all fast and jumbly and stumbling over itself
4- (14:14) Sax & piano, perky and jazzy, good fast pace. After 4 minutes, gets cooler and more studious, still fairly fast. Gets pretty crazy near the end. Yes, the title's from The X-Files.
5- (16:39) Long oboe lines over a group pulse, a bit jingly, definitely a modern-classical sound but with an art-jazz feel. Starts going offcenter, tone-wise, after piano enters in the second half. Final 3 minutes finally break form for some new, exciting rhythms. Overall bright, but not in a hurry; turns out to be an exercise similar to Terry Riley's "In C."


Personnel:
1- NOISE: Lisa Cella (flute), Colin McAllister (guitar), Franklin Cox (cello), Morris Palter (marimba)
2- Robert Dillon (percussion)
3- Colin McAllister (guitar)
4- Alan Lechusza (soprano sax), Christopher Adler (piano)
5- Pulsoptional [a CD of whom is in the Jazz library]: Carrie Shull (oboe), John Mayrose (guitar), Thom Limbert (percussion), Todd Hershberger (bassoon), Marc Faris (el. guitar) w/Christopher Adler (piano)