Hello, ....can't comment on the series as a whole, because I only have "Pastoral Composure" by the Shipp Quartet, but I can recommend that one wholeheartedly. Roy Campbell's playing on trumpets regular and pocket, and flugel horn, is spectacular, particularly on the opening cut, "Gesture". "Visions" gives off a vibe that reminds me of some of the '60's Blue Note stuff, and William Parker on bass and Gerald Cleaver on drums have fine short back-to-back solos on this track. On "Prelude to a Kiss" Shipp goes it alone, and his playing is very good, passionate yet controlled. The way Campbell's horn and Cleaver's cymbal washes combine on the short title cut is excellent. "Progression is back to Blue Note territory, and Shipp's solo stands out. "Frere Jacques" was, initially, the most striking thing on the disc. It's not particularly "outside" since they don't deconstruct the tune; rather, they abstract it and build upon it while maintaining it's recognizable qualities. Very Good. "Merge" is some of Shipp's best moments on the disc. He really explores the keyboard and propels the music, and all the while Parker and Cleaver are moving around him, fluttering and clacking, and the result sounds massive. I often replay this one two or three times while listening to this disc. "Inner Order" is abstract and meditative. I'm always reminded of Mingus and Don Cherry when this plays. "XTU" ends the record with Shipp solo again, for me the better of the two solo pieces. Shipp's playing here is angular, yet still flowing, and it ends the CD perfectly. All in all, a pretty grand disc. I remain.... Joseph NP: Frank Pahl- "The Romantic Side of Schizophrenia" CD NR: Dave Eggers- "You Shall Know Our Velocity"