Scope and Contents 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...