In the world of what's known as contemporary electro-acoustic improvisation, Günter Müller is the supreme collaborator. While the concept of non-ego is routinely (and often, erroneously) flouted among many of the musicians involved in the avant-garde genre, Müller possesses the rare ability to not only sublimate himself to the music, but, through this sublimation, to subtly influence his surroundings, prodding his partners out of their own "ruts," and coaxing them into areas they might otherwise never explore. This disc finds him in the company of Nmperign, the long-standing duo of Bhob Rainey (soprano sax) and Greg Kelley (trumpet) who have established a unique and wonderful sound-world of their own over a number of recordings. Whereas they tend toward the spiky and sparse, Müller's work is about softness -- even a certain smoothness bordering on the luxuriant. He never forces it on the proceedings, several times acceding to Nmperign's harsher proclivities, but the bed that he's prepared is always there, always available as the tempting counterbalance to snuggle into. This disc is programmed rather oddly: only two of the four tracks feature the trio. The remaining two find Nmperign and Müller on their own. This causes a somewhat more grab-bag effect than would be otherwise desired, especially given the success of the trio's tracks. But that's a small quibble. Both Rainey and Kelley are at their imaginative best; listening acutely; focusing intently; and creating sounds that both blend with the electronics and project out from it in an enticing and mysterious fashion. When Müller unleashes one of his quasi-rhythmic, subsonic pulses and Nmperign releases steam-valve pitched whistles against it, as at the end of the first track, the effect is extraordinary. The second trio-cut picks up where that one left off: it's a lovely exploration of quiet rumbles set against ethereal crackling. The individual pieces, cuts two and four, are perfectly fine examples of the work of each individual, but lack the tingle that is such a vital, attractive part of the collaborations. Recommended. ~ Brian Olewnick, Rovi

1		More Light
2		And the Gloom of That Light
3		More Gloom
4		And the Light of That Gloom