Although the title, New Orchestra Workshop makes it sound as if one large ensemble was featured throughout the CD, there are actually six adventurous and sometimes overlapping groups interpreting 11 selections from 1991. Lunar Adventures performs some free bop improvising on two numbers with a steady pulse and highly individual solos by tenor-saxophonist Coat Cooke and the rockish guitarist Ron Samworth; the contributions of bassist Clyde Reed and drummer Gregg Simpson should not be overlooked. Roger Baird & MuseArt matches the leader/drummer with the potent team of pianist Paul Plimley and bassist Lisle Ellis. Plimley (one of Canada's great jazz treasures) uses percussive chords on the floating Blues Out a bit like Cecil Taylor circa 1960 while Ellis and Baird follow his every move; this track is the standout of the release. Altoist Bruce Freedman (supported by bassist Clyde Reed and drummer Buff Allen) is lyrical on two fairly free ballads. Paul Plimley and Clyde Reed follow by engaging in three concise and explorative duets before one of Vancouver's most intriguing groups, Garbo's Hat (a trio with singer Kate Hammett-Vaughan, saxophonist Graham Ord and bassist Paul Blaney), features Hammett-Vaughan's warm voice on "Ossisil's Topic" and indulges in some odd sound explorations on "New Directions," This consistently interesting disc concludes with Ord, Blaney and drummer Baird (along with percussionist Jack Duncan and Joseph Dana on shakuhachi) improvising on the long and wandering "Extra Bar." All in all, Now You Hear It allows listeners to hear some of the more advanced musicians active in Vancouver in 1991. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi

1		Leddis Presso
2		Solomon
3		Blues Out
4		Freestrum
5		Carol
6		All Out for the Get Go
7		Carving Still Shadows
8		Rune Variations
9		Ossisil's Topic
10		New Directions
11		Extra Bar

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