Where Coxhill’s credentials need little explication, a hero of free improvisation that he made (and makes) joyously accessible to the widest audience he can muster, the joy of The Poppy Seed Affair is the focus that falls on his neglected partner Fitz-Gerald. CD 3 is dedicated to Fitzgerald’s solo work, his vivid imagination salted with echo, distortion and samples. A sort of Max Wall meets Derek Bailey collaboration. Like (very) early Ray Russell (or indeed Ron Geesin and later Vini Reilly) Fitz-Gerald has an ear for melody, a folkish chord or the just plain startling colour that keeps all his improvisations sharp, supple and surprising. Throw in the DVD of the, ahem, rarely seen film that bears the name of this triple cd release (I won’t spoil the movie’s plot for you, enough to say it makes Zappa’s Uncle Meat look like an art work of Tolstoyan grandeur) plus a live recording of Fitz-Gerald and Coxhill (pictured above) weaving their magic and you have a rare mix of improv sounds that, to quote the chaps themselves, will cause hilarity and confused thinking: two qualities to be valued in this world of grim realities. Ear Of The Beholder is positively straight by comparison, Coxhill introducing it by saying it’s the first record he’s happy with. Between his own swirling solo meditations come children’s choruses (a precursor to Billy Jenkins’ Voice Of God choir) and 1930s whimsicalities with long time collaborator Dave Bedford. Not to be missed, much to be enjoyed – bring on the sweet confusion.