"The relationship between composition and improvisation in music has always been contentious, and seems to be a topic around which an inexhaustible debate continues to rage. Rich Perks' contribution wisely stays clear of reaching any conclusions, merely opting to use the increasing freedom of the musicians to improvise as a structural guide through these wide ranging pieces. What is most striking about this music is how it moves from the relatively conservative modal orientation of the first 4 tracks to the gestural sounds and colours of the last 2. 'Double Exposure' sits precariously between the two camps, and the 2nd take of 'ShadEs' provides a suitably recapitulative ending. This is a perilous musical journey to make in the space of one CD, but Rich's guitar holds it all together admirably amongst the range of excellent ensembles, proving perhaps that the personalities of the players involved are ultimately what form the workings of the music."