Aha, an interview with Keith Rowe, goiterist of AMM fame. His career is rather rejuveniled lately as he's been recording notable duets with Japanese improvisers, particularly Toshi Nakamura (no-input mixing board). I don't believe the hype, but I've heard Weather Sky and it's nicey nice.
I've gotten some jollies lately listening to Morgan Guberman's Torpor. Solo contrabass. He also vocalizes (nicely, too), and is joined on the last few tracks by vocalist Aurora Josephson. She is quite interesting. A bit like Carol Gennetti and a bit like no one else. Guberman is huge and focused throughout.
Another excellent new recording is Improvised Memories, Kang Tae-Hwan. Joining Asia's preeminent improvising saxophonist are Miyeon (piano, one name heh heh) and Park Je-Chun (percussion). Much in the liner notes is made of the fancy schmantzy recording techniques. Who cares? It does sound goodo though. Kang's circular breathing is astonishing and not too ostentatious, and, while it's clearly not a "leaderless" group, interplay is foregrounded.
Recent reading has included The Music of Chance, by Paul Auster. As I just read Chekhov's The Bet, it read as an extended meditation on the "life imprisonment vs. capital punishment" debate. Auster's no Chekhov, but it's a fun little 2-hour read.
The improvised music community in Portland now has a collective/home: The 411 Collective. It is a home for some musicians and movement artists as well as a location for workshops and a performance venue. peevish will be playing there soon, as you can see on the calendar.
