Six years after releasing the triple set Chapter One documenting Iskra 1903's early years (1970-1972), Emanem followed suit with Chapter Two, devoted to the years 1981-1983. Once again an intimidating three-CD collection of recordings totaling over three-and-a-half hours of music, Chapter Two features a different incarnation of this seminal free improv trio. Leader trombonist Paul Rutherford and bassist Barry Guy are still there, but Derek Bailey has left, replaced since 1977 by violinist Philipp Wachsmann. Beside one-third of the lineup having changed, the major difference between this music and the one recorded a decade earlier is the appearance of electronics. Wachsmann is well known for his integration of live electronics to his violin playing, but here, Rutherford and Guy also control custom-made electronic boxes, turning the once acoustic trio into a rather unpredictable electro-acoustic endeavor. The album presents ten live improvisations, seven of them close to or over the half-hour mark. The bulk of the set was recorded in December 1983, during a tour of England. One track is taken from an August 1981 concert, and the last concert on disc three was performed in March 1983, with Evan Parker joining in for the final piece (Epis). Sound quality is good and the music offers more diversity than one would expect, with some concerts featuring more electronics than others and different kinds of interaction. Despite occasional lulls, the music remains challenging throughout, with lots of intense moments and a fair share of beautiful, transcending passages, for instance: a mournful middle section in Phelgstar, the ferocious first minutes of Emingha, and the electronic-heavy Stoleri. Chapter Two fills a gap in Iskra 1903's available history -- maybe a bit too generously, but I personally wouldn't want the task of stripping this album down to a single or even double set. ~ François Couture, Rovi

1		Dieptaur
2		Phelgstar
3		Panshanton
4		Veprol
5		Eiverl
6		Emingha
7		Marib
8		Stoleri
9		Vendia
10		Epis

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