In 177 pages Eddie Prévost includes twenty-nine thought-provoking essays on ideas, perceptions, reactions and the practices of improvised music, as well as a short index. Reactions to the real world - in particular, the political, corporate and commercial ones - are never far from the surface and the place of the individual is mirrored through that of the musician developing his or her own position, responsiveness and voice in a group context. Discourses include the questioning of terminology such as 'non-idiomatic' to describe improvised music, cover sonic extremes and racial focus in current and recent musical endeavours, and revisit an hilarious review of reviews of the Ganelan Trio's first London concert in 1984. The premise with which each essay begins is analysed, explored and intellectually wrestled with so that even if the reader doesn't concur with the conclusions, at least there is food for further thought. Occasionally there is the impression of a Candide innocently walking through an embattled and battered musical landscape wondering where it's all gone wrong. Not sufficiently to suggest that the author made the wrong decision in becoming a musician - if there was a choice - and, in any case, there is the occasional footnote to indicate that perhaps (some) things are now on the mend. A recommended read.