Article XI came together in 2014 when Anton was commissioned by the Manchester Jazz Festival to create a new set of music for large ensemble. This record continues the group's explorations into large ensemble collective composition. The bulk of the set is two new pieces. 'Municrination' was developed from an initial melodic idea of Anton's which he brought to a trio rehearsal with Johnny Hunter and Graham South. They improvised their way through and around the fragments, recording the results as they went. Elements from this session were transcribed by Anton and went on to weave their way into the final piece, as part of Article XI's on-going experiments in creating a large ensemble music that allows the individual voices to shine through. The second new piece, 'Always A Fox" takes inspiration from Ken Vandermark's modular approach. The piece is set up with 7 different sections, and the exact path navigated between them is altered for each performance, maintaining an uncertainty that keeps it fresh. Again, the material that makes up the finished piece has had contributions from band members, this time Tullis Rennie, Cath Roberts, Sam Andreae and Seth Bennett all recorded their own improvised responses to melodic ideas presented by Anton, out of these a collective identity for the piece arose, which is built on in performance every time. "An absorbing and intriguing evening of uncompromising music making at the interface where the composed and the spontaneous conjoin to rewarding effect." - The Jazz Mann "A marvellous evening my only regret being that we only got to see one set of each band." - Bebop Spoken Here
