Modesti FReviews: Blocks of Consciousness and The Unbroken Continuum explores the work and aesthetic of various cutting edge musicians, environmental/sound artists and noise-makers. As well as profiles of Richard Chartier, The Necks, John Wall and Sachiko M, the book contains explorations of the history and changing nature of free improvisation, of Cage?s iconoclastic 4?33"³, and of where to draw the line (somewhat tentatively, to be sure) between improvisation and composition. There is, in addition, a series of personal statements by almost two dozen musicians, composers and sound artists, collected by Rhodri Davies; and in Out in the Field Bertrand Denzler and Jean-Luc Guionnet interview improvisers about their music and group the anonymised answers thematically. The authors of the principal chapters ? David Toop, Clive Bell, Brian Marley, Dan Warburton, Andy Hamilton and Will Montgomery ? are well-known and respected writers on music/sound.Machines, noise and improvisation are factors common to all of the chapters in the book. David Reid?s DVD selection of video performances also carries this theme. The performances, all filmed during the last five years and part of his growing archive, represent a diverse range of musicians and their musics. Note, however, that the DVD content is neither illustrative of nor subordinate to the written material in the book; it comprises a chapter in its own right. A feature of Blocks of Consciousness and The Unbroken Continuum that will be much remarked upon is Damien Beaton?s lavish design, which makes the book so much more than a mere receptacle for words. -- Source of annotation: Marvin or Ruth Sackner.