Think the Germans had the market cornered on dark-edged electronics in the 70s? Guess again, because this mid 70s gem from Frenchman Philippe Besombes easily rivals the most progressive work of the Kraut scene of the time! The album's a collaboration with Jean-Louis Rizet – and features both artists duetting on a variety of analogue electronics – sometimes in a melodic way, but often in more experimental modes that are quite textural at times – and which stand as a key link between initial German electronics in the 70s, and some of the murkier British uses of the instrument a few years later. Titles include "Synthi Soit-Il", "Haute Pression", "Evelyse", "Armature Double", "Lundi Matin", and "Montelimar". (Rock, Out Sound) CD

Maybe one of the coolest volumes ever in this long-running series from John Zorn – but maybe that's also because the album's dedicated to the great Terry Riley, and features Zorn improvising on organ, on two long tracks that definitely echo the minimalist legacy in Riley's music! The organ is a pipe organ, which has a much fuller sound and larger presence than some of the electric keyboards that Riley used in the past – and while Zorn echoes that sense of song progression that you'll know from the composer/performer's famous recordings, he also lets loose with his own sonic tendencies too – and explores some of the farther reaches of the pipes with very heavy sounds! The album features two long tracks – "A New Door Opens" and "Elissa's Tears" – both improvised. (Jazz, Out Sound) CD