I'm continually surprised at the rate with which Ernesto Rodrigues releases discs on his superb Creative Sources imprint. As most folks reading this know, the excellent viola/violin/electronics improviser began to document Portuguese and Spanish improvisation several years back and has quickly developed his label into one of the premier outlets for improvisation at the intersection of European free music, electroacoustics, and new music. I recently opened up my mailbox to find a package stuffed with seven of the label's latest goodies. All told, it's a strong batch. […] In April 2004, Claudio Rochetti (turntable, small percussions, radio), Fhievel (field recordings, objects), and Luca Sigurta (cymbals, objects, toys) got together to record the two improvisations comprising Pocket Progressive (CS024). What distinguishes this recording from the others in this batch is Fhievel's use of field recordings. In some ways, this recalls Jason Kahn's and Greg Kelley's recent experiments with these materials. But this trio works in an area that is more expansive than Kahn's Songs for Nicolas Ross and less caustic than Kelley's I Don't Want to Live Forever. Muffled street and animal noises float in and out while flinty percussive and metallic noises squirm together as if craving release from some containment. Much of the first track sounds like a bunch of crinkled-up aluminum foil straightening itself out. And while the second piece retains a roughly similar feel, the very closing minutes open up a huge echo-drenched space followed by the tiny sounds of skittering electronic mice and sine tones. What really compels during these pieces is how distinct this trio sounds, considering the instrumentation (you'd be hard pressed to pick out just where those toys and radio and so forth are at work). Almost like the fragment of a Xenakis piece distilled to its essence and improvised over the course of 35 minutes, this crackling, sizzling trio is excellent. They have a clear focus on specific sounds and areas of the music, and they let things develop patiently. […] Taken together, this septet of discs is worthy not just for their quality but also for their documentation of this music (and some of its lesser known players). Rodrigues already has a new batch out. In the meantime, however, don't miss out on some of these gems.