On these three lengthy pieces, the two musicians very much meet at a stylistic middle ground, but no amount of imagination could prepare a listener for how well it actually works.  Full text...

This is an ambitious project, which earnestly strives to break new ground, but ultimately is undermined by the fact that the dialogue between the two musicians falls short. Nonetheless ‘The Exchange Session’ still proves to be a highly pleasurable aural experience that rewards a concentrated listener.   Full text...

This certainly isn't the weirdest thing I've ever heard, but it's probably the weirdest thing I've ever recommended to a friend.  Full text...

What they've done on this recording is find a way to harness the power between each: Reid's pulses and Hebden's sounds marry to make a new type of free jazz duo, where a drummer can exploit rhythmic phrases and an electronic composer can loop samples and themes.  Full text...

Unlike a true alliance, Hebden and Reid seem to be playing two separate performances simultaneously.   Full text...

The Exchange Session Vol. 1 works best when taken as a descriptor of things to come, even if it is fully enjoyable in itself. Reid and Hebden might have a collaborative monstrosity ahead of them, and that's the one that will be exciting to hear.  Full text...

The offspring of Reid and Hebden's affair is, then, something of a problem child, unwilling to be nice to either parent's friends and deliberately spurning any kind of extended family expectation.  Full text...

This is intensely experimental stuff and it’s less a record and more of an art installation.  Full text...

It’s loose, it’s largely unlistenable and it captures the essence of two complete nutters farting about with a modest budget at their disposal. Call it pure, call it a racket, call it a day.  Full text...