Zeitkratzer (Time Scraper) operate at the extremes of Germany's New Music scene: an experimental chamber ensemble with sensibilities derived as much from Noise and improvisation as the contemporary music repertoire. Leader/pianist Reinhold Friedl's adventurous desire to extend the frontiers of his group's work has led to collaborations with Lou Reed, Terre Thaemlitz and Bernhard Gunter as well as choreographers and fashion designers. By Julian Cowley. This article originally appeared in The Wire 251 (January 2005).

Equally at ease brainstorming in New York lofts and barhopping with Tom Waits, guitarist Marc Ribot's new group has turned well-heeled Cuban. This article originally appeared in The Wire 178 (December 1998).

Since leaving Soft Machine in 1973, bassist and songwriter Hugh Hopper’s career has evolved through a series of productive phases: tape loop experiments dating back to the mid-60s, email collaborations, ad-hoc Improv fusion groups and dealing with the everexpanding Soft Machine heritage industry. Words: Julian Cowley. This article was originally published in The Wire 259 (September 2005).

An unedited transcript of Julian Cowley's interview

The minimalist composer discusses his film soundtracks. An exclusive online only feature by Julian Cowley

Read the full interview transcript which formed the basis of Julian Cowley's feature on Gino Robair