The Wire Tapper 16
Your track-by-track guide to this month's free CD

Reanimator
The Portland duo's low-tech, analogue debut is infused with spectral Techno rhythms. By Philip Sherburne

Hisato Higuchi
Alan Cummings uncovers the workplace stress and urban alienation which frustrate and inspire the Japanese guitarist

Beat Furrer
The Swiss composer's Fama project expounds his concept of a ‘listening theatre'. By Andy Hamilton

Cross Platform
Charles Atlas Louise Gray connects the dots of the US fi lm maker's work, which links Merce Cunningham to Sonic Youth and Fennesz

Invisible Jukebox
Marc Ribot The versatile and prolifi c guitarist picks up the duende in tracks by Albert Ayler, Giacinto Scelsi, Ry Cooder and more. Tested by Alan Licht

Steve Mackay
Best known for his blowing on The Stooges' Fun House, the saxophonist finally makes his solo debut with two albums of blazing free jazz and electronics. By Edwin Pouncey

John Surman
The veteran saxophonist's early 70s work with The Trio, John McLaughlin and Dave Holland produced some of the most visionary moments in British jazz. By Julian Cowley

Melvins
The unpredictable California based quartet intersperse neo-Metal albums with art film soundtracks, avant garde provocations and audience baiting antics. By Phil Freeman

The Primer
Texan Hiphop Cough syrup at the ready, Dave Stelfox presents a user's guide to the Lone Star State's own brand of ‘screwed and chopped' hiphop

Soundcheck
This month's selected CDs and vinyl, including Janek Schaefer, Sandy Bull, Robbie Basho, Hototogisu and more. Plus specialist columns on avant rock, critical beats, dub, electronica, hiphop, jazz & Improv, modern composition, outer limits, reissues, compilations and unusual formats

The Inner Sleeve
Adam Kidd on Why?/ Odd Nosdam's split EP

Print Run
New music books, including a VJing compendium, a collection of Studs Terkel's interviews, John Cage discussed and more

On Screen
New music DVDs, including Faust and Jeff Tweedy

On Site
Installations and gallery events, including Maryanne Amacher's Music For Sound Joined Room Series

On Location
Concert and festival reviews, including Instal in Glasgow, Adventures In Modern Music in Chicago and more

Global Ear
In Ethiopia, Chris Sharp succumbs to the hypnotic rhythms of Tigrean music

Out There
The pick of the month's festivals, concerts, club spaces, radio and more

Epiphanies
Sitting in on a recording session at Abbey Road in 1965, Barry Miles watches The Beatles reinvent pop music

plus Regulars including The Masthead, Letters, Bitstream & Trip Or Squeek